Speaker 1: Victory. Come in and welcome.
Speaker 2: I'm a g.
Speaker 3: Marshall.
Speaker 2: We call a concept of fantasy when it fails to
fall within the pattern experience has led us to expect. Fantasy,
Then is unnatural supernatural if you like, because the road
it takes is heretofore untraveled. Considered in that light, this
adventure of Ralph and Wilma Albertson's is fantasy. Ralph and
Wilma have had the sale of the city's turmoil, some
years ahead of the customary retirement age. Ralph is leaving
his post at the university as professor of American History.
Speaker 1: The Light of Booker on the development of the New
England states.
Speaker 2: He and his wife are about to depart on a
meandering tour of New England in search of a home
in which he may work congenially.
Speaker 4: Well, will you come and sit on this suitcase? I
can get it close.
Speaker 2: Well, if you didn't fell, you had to take a
lifetime supply of every biddle.
Speaker 4: If you'd make up your mind where you want to go?
I know what to pack. Don't you have any idea?
Speaker 2: We want to end up all travel the back roads
move and when and where whimsy directs.
Speaker 4: Wives that's all very well, But where are we going to.
Speaker 2: Get to some backwater town where they still think the
world is flat?
Speaker 4: If I have my way, what you're looking for at
a ghost town?
Speaker 2: Well, if the ghosts requiet and mind their own business,
why not our mystery drama Leapy Village was written, especially
if the mystery theater by Field and Farrington and stars
Norman Rose and Martha Greenhouse. There are few places in
the world better designed to encourage wanderlust than the northeastern
section of the United States.
Speaker 1: Especially in early autumn.
Speaker 2: Ralph and Wilma half forgetting the real object of their quest,
find themselves at mid morning in the mountainous wonderland of Vermont.
Speaker 4: I can taste the color around.
Speaker 1: Can you imagine this country before the white man got
his gadget building hands on it?
Speaker 5: Well, there haven't been any gadget building hands.
Speaker 4: Messing around with fIF section. Match.
Speaker 5: If they hadn't put a little blacktop on the road,
I'd still cause a wagon track.
Speaker 1: Child path before that. Bort like, rich, do you expect.
Speaker 4: To find a town on this road?
Speaker 1: I know what's d d.
Speaker 4: Hey, we just got the signs, got the car. If
there's a town around here, we don't wanna miss it
for I'll back up. Now, what's the same It has
hit me on that bush.
Speaker 1: Three f village, population three hundred and sixty four. I
call that's more about the lease.
Speaker 4: Well, if there's anything at all in the name, you
found what you're looking for.
Speaker 2: MM call it a ghost town, got people in it.
Speaker 1: I saw at least three men hanging around outside the
barber shop.
Speaker 4: Oh yes, and baseda that's two. I think it's just
about the most beautiful little town i've every scene.
Speaker 1: Wait on that. I remind you that you said that, Wow,
that must be the town hall.
Speaker 4: You know I do a seriality off it.
Speaker 1: Are you serious?
Speaker 4: It's the perfect little gem of a town. Route with
the park and ask somebody, the town's only about four
o'clocks long.
Speaker 1: Shop. I'll wait here.
Speaker 4: You go ahead, one of those manage one of the barbershop. Okay,
you know you look like an awful city flicker.
Speaker 2: I am a city slicker. Excuse me. I wonder if
you might tell me where to find a real estate
dealer fellow sell's houses and all sight man you want
to see, I expect to be Ellis Perkins.
Speaker 1: He's the mayor. Where would I find him. He's right
over beyond there in the village hall. It might be there,
might not.
Speaker 2: I have a look, thank you very much. We have
to see the mayor, the man. We must sew real
estate on the side.
Speaker 1: Mister Perkins. Yes, rag well, thank you.
Speaker 2: There wasn't any receptionist outside, oh, never felt the need
for one. Red eh. People just walk in and out.
My name's Ellis Perkins.
Speaker 1: I'm Ralph alberts and mister Perkins, and this is missus
albertson y and you do please meet. Just sit down,
please sit down. You wouldn't believe how rare stranger. I'll
get right to the point, mister Perkins. We've we've been
looking for a place like there's a quiet little place,
you know, the well to settle down in permanently, have you?
Speaker 3: Uh will?
Speaker 2: There is a house available, just one. You're quite sure
that you want to be this removed from worldly things.
That's exactly what we do on peace and quiet. I
find the city lately justus just too much for me.
I say, did you feel the same way about it?
Miss Elvis?
Speaker 5: And oh yeah, not as strongly as my husband perhaps,
But now I've seen your time.
Speaker 2: Yeah, good, good, well, it's just about lunch time.
Speaker 1: Well, if you have an engagement, Oh no, nothing of
the sort. You can come to my house and have
lunch for me, of course.
Speaker 2: Oh no, really, we couldn't imposs No, we'll we'll get
a bite somewhere and meet your la.
Speaker 1: No, I won't hear of it. You're coming home with me.
Speaker 2: We'll enjoy a good country lunch because we call it dinner,
you know, and then we'll proceed to a discussion of
whether or not our sleep of allage is the pace
you're looking for.
Speaker 4: Oh dear, I may not eat again for day.
Speaker 2: Do you always eat like this at lunchtime? Hamsteak home,
five potatoes, green bean?
Speaker 1: Where that's really the main meal?
Speaker 2: Supper isn't quite as elaborate except on occasion.
Speaker 4: Well, it certainly was delictening. I'd beat that as a
pig if I had the lunch like this.
Speaker 1: Everybody ready for the apple pie?
Speaker 5: Oh, my goodness, too much? Oh yes, no, Lucas, I
guess you better save the.
Speaker 1: Pie for supper. To bring the coffee in hemspekins or
in the sitting room.
Speaker 2: In the sitting room, I think, Lucas, where should we
go in more comfortable talking in there than around the table.
Speaker 5: Now, if Lucas does everything else as well as he cooks,
he's really a gem.
Speaker 4: Mister Perkins.
Speaker 2: Did he live in Oh yes, yes, has for ten
years or more. Now take that chair, won't you? Missus Abison?
Speaker 1: Thank you?
Speaker 2: He used to be my dear wife's favorite. I'll be
the for miss Perkins. Or just leave the tray.
Speaker 1: I put it on a coffee table to alcohol.
Speaker 2: You go have your dinner now, Lucas, what did they
just holler up? Yes, Lucas is the only family I
have since my wife passed over. He gets ristless sometimes
talks about leaving me, but I don't think he ever will.
I don't know what I'd do if he did.
Speaker 1: Cream and sugar both of you real dream.
Speaker 4: No thanks, we'd both take it black.
Speaker 2: What a pity. Well, now let's get down to the
business of finding out whether or not you and Sleepy
Village would suit each other.
Speaker 4: The town me fine, We'll have to look at the
heart of course.
Speaker 2: Oh yes, of course. What is your profession, mister Eberson.
I'm I was a college professor American history. I've decided
to leave that and well work on a book I've
had in mind good, very good there the village could
use good historian, interesting history this place has. You'd be fascinating,
as I can imagine.
Speaker 4: Look at makes good coffee too.
Speaker 1: Well. Now, I don't mean to pry, but are you people.
Speaker 2: People who have a great many friends? That is, two
old friends are table important? Well, we have an average
number of friends, I suppose, although I can't see what
we're living in an isolated place like this might be.
Speaker 4: Well if we miss them, what we'll ask to come
and see.
Speaker 2: Yes, but you are looking for a place where you
can get away from people, and I assume that includes
friends as well as strangers. Mister Perkins find I don't
understand what difference all this makes to you.
Speaker 1: Oh, I'm sorry. I hope I haven't offended you.
Speaker 2: It's a very small village, mater, I've soon and well,
the relationships are very close intimate.
Speaker 1: You might say. We find we.
Speaker 2: Have to make sure we're getting the sort of people
who will blend.
Speaker 1: Oh see sort of gentleman's agreement of got what you mean?
Speaker 2: No, no, no, no, no, no, nothing like that at all.
No whatever, It's just well, now, how can I make
you understand it? It's just that come ins and goings
upset our people terribly. We can't have people moving in
and then just pack it up and moving out again.
It's well that say, it's quite impossible. I think perhaps
the best plan would be not to move in in
the first place. Oh yeah, I've done this very badly.
I've given you the wrong impression altogether.
Speaker 4: Ralph, don't you think.
Speaker 5: Well, it's such a sweet little place, and maybe the
reason we like it.
Speaker 4: So much is that mister Perkins does make sure he
is the right people before well, you know, before going.
Speaker 1: On with it.
Speaker 4: Not just anybody we've get in here.
Speaker 1: You have to knit there.
Speaker 2: What did help mister Orbitson if I said I'd be
very happy, very happy indeed to have you and missus
Albertson come and live in our community.
Speaker 1: There is he rare?
Speaker 2: Well, all right, at least we'll look at the house splendid. Well,
I'll go and make the arrangements right now, before you
have a chance to change your mind. I'd just like
to make a phone call. If you excuse me, please
help yourself to more coffee.
Speaker 1: Well, well it didn't you think that was a bit much?
Speaker 5: Well, except you know, he's right, a little village I says,
is quite a a different.
Speaker 4: Conversation from a big city.
Speaker 5: It wouldn't be a good thing for either the villages
or us if we moved in and then all hated
each other.
Speaker 1: I suppose not that it's very strange all the same.
Speaker 5: Oh m oh, look it I was just telling mister
Perkins the coffee is up to your standard.
Speaker 4: Very good.
Speaker 2: May I speak to you in confidence?
Speaker 3: Huh?
Speaker 2: Oh well, yes, of course. Have you went and have
you decided to stay? Well, nothing's been settled here. Mister
Perkins is making arrangements now for us to see the
house or what? Uh that don't mean, does it that?
Speaker 1: Uh?
Speaker 2: Your dad's said on staying. Oh no, of course not.
The house may not be suitable at all.
Speaker 4: Although I'll be surprised if it isn't.
Speaker 2: Well, if it does work out so that you can't stay,
i'd like to all wait, we just can't stay? Well,
ipy to say, if it works out so as you don't,
i'd be most bolden to you if you'd let me
come with you when you go.
Speaker 4: Oh.
Speaker 2: Oh, well, of course, if you want to ride, we'd
be perfectly willing to take you along.
Speaker 5: But mister Perkins is oh he don't want me to go.
Speaker 2: I know that, but it's not fair, is it to
keep a man against his wish? And I'll talk to
you again after you' I'll talk to you later on.
All right, don't tell mister Perkins we spoke.
Speaker 1: And it was pretty spooky, wasn't it.
Speaker 4: I think Lucas has been watching too many late movies.
Speaker 1: You know this, this whole setup scenes. I don't know. Well,
we'll see the house at least.
Speaker 4: Oh, we're going to like it, Ralph if going to
be just looking.
Speaker 2: Where splendid couldn't have worked out better?
Speaker 1: Oh, I know you're gonna love it here, mister Perkins.
When can we see the house in due time? William?
In due time? Well, what I arrange for just now
on the phone was for you to meet the village fathers.
It was lucky pain.
Speaker 2: I haven't a meeting anyway this afternoon on another matter?
And why should we meet the village fathers?
Speaker 1: Oh? Didn't I mention it?
Speaker 2: Well, you have to appear before the village fathers before
you can consider settling in Sleepy Village. You have to
be approved. If a man wants to buy a house
in a town that he finds attractive if he has
the money to pay for it, even if one house
comprises the entire market, doesn't it seem odd to ask
him to appear before the town's governing body and establish
his worthiness. But Sleepy Village is a place of many,
many odd characteristics. We'll encounter more of them when I
returned shortly with that, too. Wishing to escape the overcrowding,
the noise, the pollution, the tension of the big city
is quite common these days, But perhaps there is such
a thing as going too far in the other direction.
Ralph Alberson is beginning to think that's just what he
and his wife have done. They found a place aptly
named Sleepy Village, but the mayor, Ellis Perkins, has told
them that they must appear before the village fathers and
be found acceptable before they may consider settling down. Of
all the nonsense I have ever been subjected to, this
has got to be the most ridiculous. Unusual, perhaps, mister Abison,
but not pretticulous. There are elements involved here that I
am not free.
Speaker 1: To explain to you. With this time.
Speaker 2: Let's get out of here, oh Ralph, not before we
before we've walt appear. You're in supplication before a bunch of.
Speaker 1: Small top No, no, I won't do it, Wilma.
Speaker 2: You'll be treated with the a most dignity.
Speaker 1: Miss Travison, Please blade me.
Speaker 2: What have you got going on here, mister Perkins that
you're so careful about.
Speaker 1: I mean, you don't scream.
Speaker 2: People like this unless there's something going on that you
can't afford to let the come generally known. Well, you're
quite wrong about that, mister Avis, who we're very proud.
Speaker 4: I don't see why you have to be so suspicious, Ralph.
They just want to make sure we're become possible exactly.
Speaker 2: She said it exactly, Miss Travison, And we have nothing
to lose, Wilma, Are you really so taken with this place?
Speaker 4: I guess I really am all right?
Speaker 2: All right for that reason, there's no other I'll talk
to your village fathers, but don't either of you expect
me to get down on my knees.
Speaker 1: Meetings.
Speaker 2: That's procre a tree teddy, Oh, Ralph, Shirley, you don't
think I think we're damn.
Speaker 1: Fools for having any part of it. If you really
wanna know what I think, Miss Buck is here, so
this on the telephone. Let's talk to you. I didn't
hear the phone name. Who is it?
Speaker 4: Uh?
Speaker 2: I wouldn't tell me his name, just said it was
almighty important. I told him i'd tell you that. Oh yeah,
I mustn't be late for the meeting. Well I won't
be a minute.
Speaker 1: There wasn't no call on the telephone, you know. I
just told him there was, Lucas. Why did you do then?
Want to have a word with you? But you ain't?
Uh made a figure? And to stay and sleepy? They jolly, well,
we're going to see the village fathers. We don't know
yet whether we're gonna stay or not. Why I wouldn't.
Speaker 2: Indeed, I wouldn't, mister Albertson, if I was you, why
not luke it?
Speaker 1: Lots of reasons.
Speaker 2: Well, if it turns out you don't have to stay,
you promised to take me away with you.
Speaker 1: Remember what do you mean if we don't have to stay?
Speaker 2: Well, if well it works out sometimes boy, if he comes,
I better course. There wasn't anybody on that phone. There
wasn't No, there wasn't wasn't her talk to him?
Speaker 1: That's all I know.
Speaker 2: Well, no time to worry about that. Now, are you
ready to go?
Speaker 1: As ready as our get. I guess.
Speaker 2: Mister Albertson is an historian of considerable repute. Now, as
you all know, the village records have been gathering dust
in the archives for too long. Sleepy Village is a
proud pest. I have no doubt whatever that mister Robertson
could be prevailed upon to go through those records and
put them in order and set them down in readable
form for all to enjoy. I feel no hesitation whatever
in recommending them wholeheartedly as future citizens of Sleeper Village.
Speaker 1: I never heard of such a thing. I just never
in my whole life heard of such a crazy thing.
Speaker 4: Well, it did seem I first heard of funny funny Ralph.
Why didn't you just sit down and relax?
Speaker 1: Okay, I'm sorry. Well, no reason why I should take
it out on you.
Speaker 5: It started out of proportion, I admit that. But then
there can't be many places like this life's in the
whole world. Do you think the way things are today?
And to keep it this way, I guess they'd have
to protect themselves.
Speaker 4: Otherwise it would be just like any other small town.
Speaker 1: Well, I don't like to be interrogated.
Speaker 2: Congratulations, So I am so pleased. They've accepted you unanimously,
not one single objection. Well, I can't remember the last
time that happened.
Speaker 1: Okay, so can we go and see the house now
and get that over with?
Speaker 3: What?
Speaker 2: Oh the house? Well, I don't worry about that. I
think this calls for a celebration first, don't you know?
I honestly don't if you want my opinion, now, what
we better do is take a look at the house
and then do something about finding a place to spend
the night. Now, now, now, now, I'm not going to
listen to any arguments about it.
Speaker 1: You're just gonna have to leave everything to me.
Speaker 5: Why you have to say one thing for the time
if not short on hospitality.
Speaker 2: Mister Alberson, I know that today has been an upseeting
experience for you, appearing before the village fathers and all.
But that's all in the past now, don't you see
you're one of us now, or same as you would,
missus Albertson belong here. It's been decided, oh decided them.
Speaker 1: Now.
Speaker 2: Look, you and your village fathers have spent the day
checking us out.
Speaker 1: Has it occurred to you would all to wonder how
you look to us. I'm as fussy about who lives
next door to me. Is my next door neighbor is?
Speaker 4: Well? Please, that's the thing.
Speaker 1: And I don't like people prying into my business.
Speaker 2: I don't like people sitting in judgment deciding whether or
not I'm good.
Speaker 1: Enough to mingle with.
Speaker 2: You use the word neighbor, mister Rabbitson, That's not quite
the right word. We're closer than neighbors here. We are
more in the nature of a family.
Speaker 1: Let's say.
Speaker 2: Let's say you were considering adopting the child. Now, you'd
want to know something about him, wouldn't she in his background?
What did it be like living in the same house
with him, mister Perkins, I did not come here to
be adopted. I came here thinking that, maybe, just maybe
I might want to buy a house and settle down here.
And but at this moment it doesn't seem like a
very good idea. Oh, dear dear missus Albison, you don't
feel the same way your husband Guy's doing not.
Speaker 5: As strongly, I guess, but I well, I can see
his point.
Speaker 1: Well, oh it does. It doesn't work itself out?
Speaker 2: Would you too care for another simple brande before.
Speaker 1: They're done out, No, thank you.
Speaker 2: If you don't you find a motel with a vacancy,
I think we better start looking right now. Oh no, no,
that won't be necessary.
Speaker 1: There is motel that I know of it.
Speaker 2: Well, it's just the other side of Morebury anyway, and
that's close on to a fifty miles.
Speaker 1: Ride, all the more reason for starting now.
Speaker 2: And my guests room upstairs a good deal more comfortable
than any motel room you have to find around these
partners to Perkins, I I really do appreciate your hospitality.
I don't want you to think that I don't, but
I'm sorry, but this is nonsense. This just isn't the
way things are done. You you find that things are
not done in sleep the village the way they're done outside. Really,
mister Albertson, we're exactly what you can I'm looking for,
and now you're resisting it. Why if you can believe
that such a place might exist, believe it's strongly enough
to set out on a journey looking for it, why
do you find it so difficult to believe that it
does exist once you found your way to it, you
know he's right now, It's well, it's there's just something
creepy about it?
Speaker 1: All right, we'll spend the night here, mister Perkins. I'm
sorry if I've seemed rude, but it's very kind of you.
I'm sure, Yes, thank you, we'll stay. Lucas, oh, Lucas. Yes.
Speaker 2: And I was just about to go on upstairs to
come in here for a minute. Please when you want
to talk to you, Oh, sit down with you. You
don't have to act like a servant. Well, as long
as I am one, and I might as well act
like one. Okay, you're not planning to do anything foolish,
are you?
Speaker 1: In I don't know what you mean, mister Perkins.
Speaker 2: You remember the Collinses the night they spent here before
they moved into the old Bradley Place or and I
wouldn't want a repetition of that. The Helbersons have seen
the village, fathers have been accepted. It's all settled. You'd
be very unwise to interfere. Well, no, I wouldn't do that,
mister Perkins. That there with the Collins's. That was a
long time ago before I got rightly settled in. You
might say you don't have to worry good because it
wouldn't work anyway. I give you my word, it wouldn't
work at all, Wilma. I suppose you think I've overreacted.
But this is the damnedest thing I ever heard of.
Speaker 4: Yes, but it it's kind of sleet.
Speaker 1: Don't you think I might think so?
Speaker 2: Yes, if it weren't for the village fathers and their interrogation.
Speaker 1: I didn't like that, Wilma.
Speaker 2: No, but once we're part of the jealous I still
won't like it. I'm not at all sure yet that
we're going to be part of the village. M I
have a feeling, though, No, there's more to this than
Old Perkins has told us this.
Speaker 1: I don't know.
Speaker 2: There's I'm kind of a catch. I get a wrong feeling.
How is that how settling? Or somebody knocking at the door?
Speaker 4: Somebody knocks really good?
Speaker 1: Is? Oh?
Speaker 2: Yes, Lucas, Uh, I I have to talk to you.
Speaker 1: Oh well, we're all ready for bed. Can't wait until morning?
Speaker 2: Oh I've got to get it settled tonight, mister Alberson.
If I can, I got to Can I come in
and shut the door? It's okay? Okay? I? Uh, what
is it, Lucas? You folks don't really want to stay
in this place?
Speaker 5: Do you.
Speaker 1: Well, we haven't decided yet.
Speaker 4: We haven't seen the house. We like the tower, all right,
but of course we we can't decide anything definite until
we've seen the house.
Speaker 2: House ain't got nothing to do with it, Missus Albison,
nothing whatsoever.
Speaker 5: Of course it has, we'd be living there, Lucas, Lucas,
do you have something to count us? Is there something
about this place that we ought to know before we
make up our minds?
Speaker 2: They sure shooting is. But I don't know if you're
gonna believe me when I tell you. But collins Has
didn't Collins's last folks come looking for a house to
live in here before you in oh, eight ten years now, eight.
Speaker 5: Or ten years since anybody's been here asking about a house.
Speaker 1: Now to the way place this more?
Speaker 2: You know, don't just stumble on the sleepy you got
to be Uh well, I don't know, lead I guess.
I told the collins Is that, but they wouldn't believe me.
You wait a minute, Lucas, led by home, h I
couldn't say. I asked the collins If to take me
away with them too, but they didn't go. They stayed
still here, always will be now, of course I can't
understand why you keep asking people to take you away
with them, Lucas. And if you wanna leave sweepy village,
why don't you just leave?
Speaker 4: Oh?
Speaker 1: No way, it wouldn't work.
Speaker 2: It wouldn't if I tried it all by myself. I
think you ought to make up your mind to get
out of here, mister Albertson. Not just so as you
can take me, will you, but for your own good?
Maybe they'll still let you go. Matt, I've gone, damn well,
let us go if we wanna go, I sure hope.
Speaker 1: So we could still leave tonight and a chance to
get away the after dark the daytime.
Speaker 2: You're gonna have to explain that with this if you
want us to take you away with us in case
we go, but you're gonna have to tell us what is.
Speaker 1: Going on here?
Speaker 2: Well, they're all dead, you know, Not me, I don't think,
but all the rest of them dead as dead can be,
been dead for years.
Speaker 1: A village full of dead people.
Speaker 2: People who walk the streets speak with a down East accent.
Speaker 1: Oh who eat at dinner time?
Speaker 2: Well behave in other words, as we expect living people
to behave.
Speaker 1: Well, declare that one up.
Speaker 2: It would be necessary to define death, which would involve
defining life. Would you care to try? Perhaps the definitions
will be forthcoming. When I returned shortly.
Speaker 3: With a three.
Speaker 2: One of man's major preoccupations ever since he became man,
has been with life after death and the form it
will take. That it will take, some form he must believe,
for the mortal span is too brief to be acceptable
as the entire package.
Speaker 5: He delves and pies, and sometimes at strange moments, snatched
from the commonplace, he seems to get a glimpse. Oh,
but you can possibly go It's never happened before.
Speaker 1: Then this will be the first time, mister Perkins, because
we are going. We'll know now.
Speaker 2: I'll tell you what we'll do. We'll go and have
a look at your house and then come back here
and discuss it over a good, hearty breakfast. How does
that strike you? Well, frankly, it leaves me cold. We'll
get our breakfast along a road somewhere, missus Alberson, I.
Speaker 5: Have to agree with my husband. It seems a shame,
But I I don't see how we could possibly be
happy here. Not that I believe what Lucas says for
a minute.
Speaker 2: But what does Lucas say, Oh, oh, that's that's not important.
We're grateful for your hospitality, mister Perkins, and we both
agree that you have a beautiful little village here, but quite,
it's just not fosa. Now we're all packed. We'll be
out of here in a few minutes.
Speaker 4: Oh, it's gonna be hard hard to find another place
we like as much.
Speaker 1: They'll never find one that's spooky, if that's what you mean.
Speaker 2: Ralph, Yes, do you believe what Lucas says, but that
everybody in town is dead?
Speaker 4: What's that?
Speaker 1: I can't tell. It looks like you got a tree
across the road, or a telephone pole.
Speaker 4: Maybe here's a man there.
Speaker 2: He of all good that the two of us ought
to be able to clear that thing off the road
without too much trouble.
Speaker 4: Ralph, he's what the hell?
Speaker 1: God get through this way?
Speaker 2: Mister, sure we can, before of us can move that log.
Speaker 1: Nobody moving the log or driving through better? Just turned
back the only thing.
Speaker 4: You can do. Let's turn around, Ralph the way he's
told him? That gun down?
Speaker 1: What is this a roadblock? Are you trying to force
us to turn back? This shotgun here?
Speaker 2: Mister Albertson sure, hope, I don't have to use it.
I was waiting for you to come back. When I do,
sit down. I know you're angry. Angry, You're gonna have
about half of it. Oh, dear, dear, dear, Well, I
intend to explain everything you mentioned earlier that Lucas tools
to something. Missus Albertson, do you mind telling me what
it was? What did he say?
Speaker 1: He he said you're all dead.
Speaker 4: He said everybody in.
Speaker 5: The village is dead except him.
Speaker 2: Yeah, where he is too. Of course, what are you
talking about. Oh, it's quite true. We're all changed over.
Well did if you want to use that word, although
as you can see, it isn't accurate. He've finished with
the life you're experiencing now and gone on to the neck.
Speaker 1: Oh cut it out, Perkins, Ralph, you wanted him to explain.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Missus Harbertson. It isn't an easy thing to
give credence to in the beginning.
Speaker 1: I know, continued.
Speaker 2: Existence after what you think of his death is as
natural as your heven't been born in the first place.
People are not simply extinguished when they finish the first phase. Well,
I'm sorry, mister Perkers, but I I just don't buy it.
Speaker 5: Why would you want us to settle in your village.
We're not dead. Two living persons in a village full
of dead people.
Speaker 2: Why a sheepy village is not the place you drive to.
It's a place you think yourself into. When you're sufficiently
repelled by the society the circumstances, which is to say,
the life in which you find yourself crapped. Then you
find your way to sleep a village, and once you've
done that, you become candidates for residents.
Speaker 1: Mean what you mean an the dates for death? Is
that what you're trying to tell us? We're here now.
Speaker 2: It isn't death as you think of it, mister Alberson.
You'll have to change over, yes, but you'll hardly notice it.
Speaker 1: That is dead, and I see it no matter what
comes after.
Speaker 2: The very fact that you found us, found your way
to our village implies a natural readiness for the change
It's will. Don't you understand that it's more than half
done already?
Speaker 1: You're here. That says all it needs to be said.
Speaker 2: Doom, mister Perkins, I think I'd like to be alone
with my wife. For a wife, you don't mind, Will
you come with me, Wilma. A remarkable thing is about
to happen to us, and we need to make ourselves ready.
Speaker 1: Yes, yes, that's very good.
Speaker 5: Well I'm not ready. I won't be ready. You know
I don't understand you at all, Ralse, Why do you firstly?
Speaker 2: Please please Rouma. We want to make the change gracefully,
don't we. We need to prepare ourselves now, Wilma. Do
you think for a minute that I'm going to you said?
Speaker 1: No way. I just realized that they have to be humored,
that's all. Now.
Speaker 2: Look, we've we've somehow found our way into a village
full of nuts.
Speaker 1: That's what's happened. Now, Look, we got to play it.
Speaker 2: Their way if we hope to get out of here
in one piece. Because that idiot downstairs means what he says, Lucas.
Speaker 4: Where's Lucas? He must know how to get away.
Speaker 1: I don't know. I think he expected to ride out
of town with us in the car.
Speaker 4: All the same. I think we ought to see if
we can find him.
Speaker 1: Let's give him a little time.
Speaker 2: I have a feeling he'll come to us.
Speaker 1: There there, that'll be Lucas. Lucas come in. Where is
Perkins Head?
Speaker 2: Went out a while back. I waited a few minutes
before I I come up, just to make sure he
wasn't still snooping around. I expect he's making the arrangements
about you folks right this minute.
Speaker 1: Arrangements. Well you know they won't.
Speaker 2: Blot to waste any more time than they have to. Well,
you folks been cutting up, Lucas, Lucas, can you get
us out of here?
Speaker 1: I think I can sneak us out, all right. It
could be easy, though, Lucas.
Speaker 5: If you knew the roads would be blocked, then you
weren't expecting just to ride out of town with it
from the car where you might.
Speaker 1: Have yesterday hidden the trunk or somewheres.
Speaker 5: Well, if it's just a matter of walking out, not
going to buy a car, why haven't you done it
long ago?
Speaker 4: Why wait for somebody to take you this funny thing.
Speaker 1: I've gone as far as.
Speaker 2: The village line a hundred times or more, but I
just don't seem to be able to push my way
across it somehow, Standing there all by myself, I can't
say why.
Speaker 1: Well, what makes you think it would be any easier
if we were with you?
Speaker 2: I always figured if I had somebody there with me
holding my hand, as you might say, I could make
her never do it without I know that.
Speaker 1: And all right, uh can we leave now? Have to
leave your car behind and your suitcases and that thing. Well,
we'll come back from her.
Speaker 2: I intend to come back here with the police and
clean this place out. Y yep, Well, I wouldn't count
on it if I were you. Oh well, just walk
along natural talk there and then yuh going on like
I was, uh showing you around.
Speaker 1: Here's how we'll do it.
Speaker 2: We'll go over and cross the line right in back
at the church pity jeans right there back of the church.
Speaker 1: And I won't they be patrolling there? I wouldn't think so. No, No,
the village folk don't go in back of the church never.
Speaker 4: Why not?
Speaker 1: Something back there scares 'em off? Seems like I.
Speaker 5: Look, you say, everybody in the village is dead, everybody
but you?
Speaker 1: Hey, yup?
Speaker 2: How did it happen? You're not wondered about that? A
good deal myself. Come to the conclusion they just slipped
their minds. I wasn't important enough for folks to take
much notice of when I showed up.
Speaker 4: How did you happen to come here? In the first place.
Speaker 2: I can't hardly recall anymore. I was hitching at the time. Hey, yup,
mister Perkins. Put me right to work, since the village.
Speaker 1: Father said it was all right.
Speaker 2: His wife had just made the second change and he
needed somebody.
Speaker 1: With second change. Oh, well, they die, well, they don't
live forever here in the village.
Speaker 2: Second change over, they call it, And I reckon, that's
what it is.
Speaker 1: Oh, they're dead, all right, everybody but us.
Speaker 2: That's the line right there for that old oak tree
on the side of the oaks, out of the village.
But why do we have to hide here? Can't we
just walk across the line and be out of the village,
you know, and be sure somebody won't take a pot
shat us as we can't. Ain't nobody ever got out
of this village to my knowledge, once they've been accepted
by the village fathers. I ain't sure I can make it.
Speaker 4: Why what do you mean?
Speaker 1: Well?
Speaker 2: If I get the holding back now, you just take
my hands and pour you hear me, No matter what
I say, you drag me on across that line past
that old oak. But if you ask us not, don't
pay me no mind. Drag me over by the heels
if you have to well, time to go. I reckon here,
take me by the hands, both of you.
Speaker 4: What were you shaking like a leaf?
Speaker 2: Ain't ever been so scared in my whole life. And
you two just walk on up to that tree and across.
Come on, come on, don't I'll just stay on here.
See that you too, get cross, all right, but I'll.
Speaker 1: Just stay on here. Come on, let's go. We changed
my mind, mister Alberson.
Speaker 2: Reckon, I'll just stay on here now.
Speaker 1: Now we're taking you with us, whether you like it
or not. That's what you asked us to do, and
that's what we're doing.
Speaker 2: That was a dial back, mister Alberson. Ella can change
in my I'm sorry, let me go, you let go
of me.
Speaker 1: You here, I yell for Ernie bad And if you
don't what I said before, don't make no difference. You're
go with me.
Speaker 4: You come on, will you now?
Speaker 1: I hate to doing Allday, hurday, dawn here bag in
the church.
Speaker 5: Share you're shouting, damp pool up with a push him,
push him, get behind the push.
Speaker 1: Warnie.
Speaker 2: He's been talking about for about like twenty four hours
and morning to get away, and I'll come on.
Speaker 6: You're we're out of a miserable village.
Speaker 1: We're across the line.
Speaker 7: Lucas, Lucas well, he's not here, but of course he's here, Lucas.
Speaker 4: Well, look around you, for heaven safe, look around you?
Speaker 1: Where's the devil? To the idiot get to?
Speaker 4: I don't mean that. Look what does this word?
Speaker 2: Is just a linute ago it was a dacon.
Speaker 1: Field and well it's just that. Oh it's a graveyard.
I didn't notice it before.
Speaker 4: Oh it wasn't here before. Well mean that on the hiptote.
Speaker 1: Oh he read it.
Speaker 2: Ellis it comes worn away. Ellis Perkins eighteen thirty four
to nineteen oh four. But I end this one over here,
Lucas Madison eighteen ninety seven two.
Speaker 1: To nineteen sixty three.
Speaker 2: Ellis Perkins died in nineteen oh four, and Lucas Madison
in nineteen sixty three. Well that's what it said on
the headstones. And when Ralph and Wilma looked for it,
the village wasn't there. They found nothing but wasteland and
an old church crumbling from age and disrepair. I'll be
back shortly, Wilma and Ralph Albertson found a fine old
colonial house, eventually in a lovely little town in Connecticut,
and Wilma says dreamily, sometimes as I sit down to lunch,
I wonder what Ellis Perkins is having for dinner today,
and who's fixing it for him. Well, sleepy villages may
come and go, but Mystery Theatre will be back with
another account of the improbable, but not the impossible. Our
cast included Norman Rose, Martha Greenhouse, Court Benson, and Ken Harvey.
The entire production was under the direction of Hymon Brown,
Missus E. G. Marshall, inviting you to return to our
Mystery Theater for another adventure in the macabre.
Speaker 1: Until next time, pleasant Dreams,