October 29, 2025 • 29 mins
A science fiction series that explores futuristic concepts and speculative scenarios, each episode delving into the possibilities of technology and space exploration.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Mm hmm.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Condown for blast off x minus five four three two
x minus one. Fire from the far horizons of the
(00:39):
unknown come transcribed tales of new dimensions in time and space.
These are stories of the future adventures in which you'll
live in a million, could be years, on a thousand,
maybe worlds. The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with Street
and Smith, publishers of Astounding science Fiction, presents.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Minus minus minus Tonight, a Ray Bradbury's story Marionettes Incorporated.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
By the year nineteen ninety, we should see many amazing
technological advances, and yet in many ways life will be
very much the same. A husband will stop off at
a bar on his way home and perhaps unburden himself
a little to a friendly bartender.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
Ah, that's good. Almost feel as if I could go
home and face Neddie. Now, wife trouble, mister Smith, Wife
troubles Sam. If only she'd relax a little bit. Look
you see this bruise on my lip.
Speaker 5 (01:52):
She kisses me for an hour every night when I
come home. Can you do anything for it? I try, Sam, you.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Can't figure them out. Well, I guess I'll go home
and feed myself to the lioness.
Speaker 5 (02:05):
I tell you, Sam.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
When Netty gets finished demonstrating how much he's missed me,
I feel like a man who's been stuffed into an
electronic washing machine with the dial seted rints dry.
Speaker 5 (02:14):
How much do I owe you?
Speaker 6 (02:16):
Well?
Speaker 5 (02:16):
If it isn't Henry Smith, Eh Brailey, is I live?
Speaker 7 (02:21):
And breeze?
Speaker 5 (02:22):
Wald up?
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Bred?
Speaker 5 (02:22):
What are you doing here? Having the night out?
Speaker 8 (02:25):
Say?
Speaker 5 (02:26):
Does Gloria know about this? Things have changed? Henry? I
thought she kept you chained to the bedpost most of
the time. Not Nimar, Henry, not Nimar. So you want divorced?
Are you don't know Gloria's home? What did you do?
Put sleeping powder in a coffee?
Speaker 9 (02:42):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (02:42):
Couldn't this now? That would be highly unethical. Oh now, look,
I can't believe you just walked out.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
On her ten years of marriage, Henry and I never
had a night to myself. But it will be different
from now on. By the way, what time is it? Uh?
Speaker 5 (02:56):
Ten o'clock? I guess i'd better be going scared. I
don't want a crowd of my luck.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Uh, although really there's nothing to worry about.
Speaker 5 (03:05):
I'd sure like to know how you do it, Wolene,
would you really? Yes?
Speaker 1 (03:09):
I would all right, Henry, since you've always been a
friend of mine, I'll let you in on it. Come
on my cars outside, I'll drive you home and let
you see how it's done.
Speaker 5 (03:17):
Well, that's nice of you. Oh no, not at all.
We fellas have to stick together.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
I don't suppose you know how Gloria and I came
to be married in the first place.
Speaker 5 (03:41):
No, I don't.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
One evening she threatened to tear off her clothing and
call the police unless I married her.
Speaker 5 (03:47):
No.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
Oh yeah, well that's a bit extreme, isn't it. Gloria
is a nervous girl. Oh, I bet you've had a
pretty wretched.
Speaker 5 (03:55):
Time of it. Huh yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
It didn't take long for me to become the laughing
stock of the neighborhood. Henpecked, brailing, they used to call me.
I know that, But things are changing now.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
See this.
Speaker 5 (04:09):
What's this? A single ticket to Rio on the morning Rocket.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
I have hotel reservations there for a month, the whole month, Henry,
to have a fling.
Speaker 5 (04:18):
We won't glory to make trouble over there. Well, that's
the amazing part of it, Henry.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
She won't even know that I'm gone, and I'll be
back in a month and knowing the wiser.
Speaker 5 (04:30):
You don't believe it, do you? Well, frankly, no, just
how are you going to swing it? Walner? That's the secret,
he me.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
I tell you it is the most wonderful thing ever invented,
worth every cent I paid for it.
Speaker 5 (04:44):
Well, what is it?
Speaker 1 (04:47):
I'm going to show you? Here's my house. You notice
the lights.
Speaker 5 (04:52):
Are all out? Sh sh sh Now we'll wait here
on the front porch. Say you haven't gone off your rock?
I have. Let me see. Oh I'm me how twice.
(05:12):
That's that's it. Meow meow. Now watch the window in
my bedroom. It looks as if somebody's hey, there's a
man up there. He's looking loud.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
God he sees me. Now he'll be down directly. Oh now, look,
isn't this a bit embarrassing for you?
Speaker 5 (05:35):
Waller? No, no, not at all.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
You'll find out here he comes. Hello, b too, good evening,
mister Brayley. Either I'm going out of my mind or
there are two of you. You never told me you
had a twin brother. I don't, but if this fellow
were in the pajamas, I couldn't tell you apart. Well,
that's the secret, Henry. Uh, everything go all right, there
(05:59):
be two?
Speaker 5 (06:00):
Uh, just fine, mister Brayley.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
I suppose my wife was in her usual good form
this evening.
Speaker 8 (06:06):
Boy.
Speaker 5 (06:06):
As a matter of fact, we spent the evening playing gin.
No screaming, shouting accusations. No, sir, it was a very
quiet evening. Well, but this is even better than I thought.
Speaker 9 (06:20):
Marionettes incorporated James to satisfy sir?
Speaker 5 (06:24):
Did he say Marionettes incorporated? That's right?
Speaker 1 (06:27):
And then now look him over? Isn't he excellently fashioned?
You wouldn't dream he was a robot, a marionette.
Speaker 5 (06:36):
I don't believe it.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Well, it's against the law cause to duplicate a human
like this, but it's well worth the opportunity.
Speaker 5 (06:45):
I still don't believe. But you can't tell him from.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
A human, well, only one way. Put your ear next
to his chest. Huh, that's it now, listen, it's machinery,
what rule man?
Speaker 5 (06:59):
How long has this been goinging on?
Speaker 1 (07:00):
Well, I've had him a month. I keep him in
the cellar in my toolbox. And tonight I told Gloria
that I'd like to be excused for five minutes to
run down to the cigar store.
Speaker 5 (07:11):
She agreed.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
I went down the cellar took out Brailing too, and
sent him back upstairs to sit with my wife till
I got home.
Speaker 10 (07:18):
It's miraculous, of course, Waller. Well, it doesn't seem quite
ethical somehow.
Speaker 5 (07:25):
Oh nonsense, highly ethical. I've been home all evening. I
shall be home with her for the next month.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
In the meantime, another gentleman named Walter Brailing will be
in Rio having the time of his life. We can
he walk around without fuel for a month, He refuss himself. Oh,
he's built to do everything, eat, drink, sleep.
Speaker 5 (07:47):
You'll take good care of my wife, won't you be too?
Your wife is rather nice.
Speaker 9 (07:51):
I'm growing quite fond of her, you see, yeah, Waler,
oh man, how long has this marionettes incorporated?
Speaker 5 (08:00):
I'd been in business secretly for two years now. Why well,
I wonder.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
You suppose there's a possibility that I might get in
touch with him.
Speaker 5 (08:10):
You but your Nettie is madly in love with you.
Well I know that. But even so, just a little
respite you all night or two once a month, huh.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
But she loves you dearly so much she can't bear
me to leave her for a half an hour. You
know that lately she's taken to calling me up at
work ten or twelve times a day talking baby talk
your net, myntty.
Speaker 5 (08:34):
So now what do you say, old man as a
favor to an old buddy, huh a fellow lodge member. Well,
I could put.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
You in touch with the man who makes them, because
you'd be pledged to secrecy once you learned where he's
looking naturally naturally very well.
Speaker 5 (08:46):
And here's his card.
Speaker 10 (08:50):
Marionnette's Incorporated, w Zig proprietor and own a new humanoid
plastic nineteen ninety models guaranteed against where motto no strings attached.
Address the jumper Shop, forty three Southwesley Drive. Mister Zygill,
take care of the charming fellow real crafts.
Speaker 5 (09:10):
See that's wonderful word. I'll se him first thing tomorrow.
Speaker 10 (09:13):
Well, I better be getting home now, Neddie is probably
splitting a gasket.
Speaker 5 (09:17):
We'll see you a round, oh man, after I get
back from Rio.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Oh, while I'm going, you might drop around regularly, just
as you always have a treat brailing two here as
if he were me.
Speaker 5 (09:27):
Otherwise Gloria might be suspicious.
Speaker 10 (09:29):
It's fine, I'll do that. Oh, before I go. These
marionettes they're safe unte though, absolutely.
Speaker 5 (09:38):
Tell him be too. Oh we're guaranteed. That's fine. Well,
good night, Walda, good night, b two, good night, mister Smith.
Good night. Then right, Well I'm glad someone else.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Will have a chance at a little happiness and freedom.
All right, brailing too, it's back into the cellar box
for you. Come on down the steps.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
That's it. It's a very damp down here, mister Bradley.
Dad's lumming here we are. I'm brailing.
Speaker 9 (10:16):
Yeah, before you put me back into the tool box,
could we have a word?
Speaker 5 (10:21):
Certainly? Oh man, Now this toolbox, that's what about it? Well,
I don't like it, mister Brayley. Why not? It's cramped.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Oh well, I'll try to fix up something more comfortable
when I get back from really all right now, before
Gloria gets worried, back into the marionettes are made.
Speaker 5 (10:37):
To move, not keep still.
Speaker 9 (10:40):
How would you like to lie in a stuffy old
box most of the time?
Speaker 1 (10:45):
Well, I didn't realize you fellas with that sensitive or
you wouldn't like it at all.
Speaker 5 (10:48):
I keep running. There's no way to shut me off.
I have my feelings, you know.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Well, a day after tomorrow I'll be off to Rio
and you won't have to stay in the box for
a whole month.
Speaker 5 (10:58):
You can move upstairs.
Speaker 9 (10:59):
But when you come back from rio, I'll go back
into the box.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
Mister t Sich didn't tell me Mary, and that's incorporated
that it was possible to get a difficult specimen.
Speaker 5 (11:10):
Oh well, there's a lot he doesn't know.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
My nice look, Look here, beto, this has gone far enough.
I'll never get to come on, come on out into
the box and another thing?
Speaker 5 (11:20):
Your wife? Yes, what about me? I've grown quite fun.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
I'm glad that you enjoy your employment. You'll have the
whole month.
Speaker 9 (11:25):
I'm afraid you don't quite understand, brailing. I've fallen in
love with well you what, well you see it?
Speaker 5 (11:32):
You just don't appreciate it.
Speaker 9 (11:34):
Maybe if you hadn't acted so meek and apologetic about everything, well,
she'd have a little more.
Speaker 5 (11:40):
Respect for you as a man. You aren't supposed to
behave like this, you know.
Speaker 9 (11:44):
I think I could be very happy if I were
married to Gloria.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Aren't you forgetting that you are nothing but a big
overgrown puppet.
Speaker 9 (11:51):
I'm careful, brailing, I'm sense I'm sorry you you wouldn't
mind waiting here a moment, would you I have to
go upstairs and.
Speaker 5 (12:00):
Make a phone call to whom nobody.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
Important I I I have to call Henry Smith about something.
Speaker 9 (12:07):
You're lying Now you're going to call Marion it's incorporated,
and tell mister Sidon to come and get.
Speaker 5 (12:13):
No, really, I'm not. I I was.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
I was b too, Stay away, stand where you are, Braley,
b too, Take your hand off my.
Speaker 5 (12:20):
Own Brailey, what are you going to do? Nothing much?
Speaker 9 (12:23):
I'm just going to put you in the toolbox and
lock it and lose the key. Then I'll buy another
ticket to Rio and Gloria and I can have a
wonderful vacation.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
Shouldn say? Oh am I?
Speaker 1 (12:35):
Now wait a minute, hold on, be too, don't don't,
don't be rash. Now let's talk this over good vibran
Now be too, stop it, don't don't.
Speaker 5 (12:42):
Let's drip into the box bringing as we all remember.
Speaker 8 (12:54):
Water.
Speaker 5 (12:56):
Yes, Gloria, what are you doing down there? Why? Nothing? Lover?
The pipes were knocking, and I'm just making sure.
Speaker 9 (13:05):
The boiler hasn't exploded. Now you go to bed and
I'll be up soon.
Speaker 8 (13:08):
Hurry, won't you? We had said to night evening.
Speaker 5 (13:11):
I'm lonesome for you.
Speaker 9 (13:14):
You won't ever be lonesome again, Darling, never again.
Speaker 5 (13:29):
Good morning, Noddick, Good morning, Darling.
Speaker 6 (13:32):
How are you have a nice time last night?
Speaker 5 (13:35):
I missed you so his breakfast ready?
Speaker 8 (13:39):
Well, aren't you going to kiss me? Good morning?
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Oh yes, I spoke so.
Speaker 5 (13:49):
So wonderful, Henry.
Speaker 6 (13:52):
I guess I'm the luckiest person in the world. Now,
here's your coffee. How would you like your eggs anyway
at all?
Speaker 8 (14:01):
But I want to please you.
Speaker 5 (14:02):
Look, skip the eggs this morning.
Speaker 8 (14:04):
But you have to eat to keep well, Darling.
Speaker 10 (14:06):
I'm very healthy. I have an early business appointment this morning.
Oh yes, it's a friend of Waller Braiding's. I met
Wala last night. Oh yes, so I'd better be off now, Neddie,
don't look as if I were on my way to
Rio or something.
Speaker 6 (14:25):
It's just that I miss you so I want to
be with you all the time.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
Dear, do I have to go through this every morning?
I'll be back at supper now. There's no need to cry, now,
is there?
Speaker 5 (14:39):
No?
Speaker 1 (14:39):
Darling?
Speaker 6 (14:40):
You you aren't displeased with me, are you? I try
so hard to do everything just as I think you'll
like it.
Speaker 5 (14:46):
No, No, I'm not displeased. Goodbye, dear y.
Speaker 6 (14:52):
Yes, you forgot to kiss me goodbye.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
No strings attached now strings attached to the very nice puppet,
with no strings attached to due. Let's see in a
jumble shop forty three Wesley. Well, that should be about
huh here it is, yes, mister tig. Yes, Walter Brailing
(15:28):
recommended me.
Speaker 5 (15:30):
Thank you your.
Speaker 10 (15:32):
Name Henry Smith, fifty five Evergreen Place in What can
we do for you, mister Smith? Well, mister Brailing showed
me his Marionette last night. But I was intrigued with
the idea. Not that my wife as anything like that
female meat grinder. He's married too, you understand.
Speaker 5 (15:49):
But uh, well, I'm a man who enjoys an.
Speaker 10 (15:52):
Occasional evening with the boys, you know, without complications.
Speaker 5 (15:56):
Yes, so I thought.
Speaker 7 (15:57):
That I could duplicate you exactly. I think it might
be a ring.
Speaker 5 (16:05):
Is how much?
Speaker 7 (16:06):
Nine thousand dollars? Oh, I have an inferior model. It's
seventy five.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
No, no, if I go through with this, nothing is
too good for Nattie.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Nettie's my wife. We've been putting money aside by a
summer home in Westport, but sometimes we must too.
Speaker 10 (16:24):
Yeah, as well, perhaps I could just slip out nine
thousand to join the count.
Speaker 5 (16:30):
How soon could I have it?
Speaker 1 (16:32):
Oh?
Speaker 7 (16:32):
I could construct the mannequin about two months time.
Speaker 5 (16:36):
Good? Shall I consider the all the places at once?
Speaker 7 (16:40):
Of course you will have to report you for a
body mode, color index of your hair, lips, skin, et cetera.
And I'll have to do a complete electrical emotional calibration.
Speaker 10 (16:54):
Now you guarantee that these models are foolproof, as foolproof
as I.
Speaker 5 (16:59):
Can make them.
Speaker 7 (17:00):
Smith, I've had years of training and there's no chance
of detection, none, whatever. I've never had the complain.
Speaker 10 (17:08):
Oh, very well, mister saying, I'll get the money from
the bank and send it to you.
Speaker 7 (17:12):
I'm sure you won't be sorry, mister Smith. You will
be just as satisfied. It's Walter Brailey.
Speaker 8 (17:30):
Oh well tell her, yes, mister Smith.
Speaker 5 (17:32):
Am I to carrish this draft on my joint account?
Speaker 11 (17:34):
Yes, sir, nine thousand dollars, that's right. Oh, I'm afraid
that's impossible, mister Smith.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
Impossible. My wife and I have a good fifteen thousand
dollars in our account. You're mistaken, mister Smith.
Speaker 11 (17:48):
Here's your card, sir, You see missus Smith Withdrew ten
thousand dollars recently ten thousand dollars, without even telling me.
I remember it distinctly, mister Smith. She said it was
for a surprise for you.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
Good lord, she's bought that house in Connecticut. My birthday
is next week. Oh no, no, no, I've got.
Speaker 5 (18:09):
The bar with somewhere. I've already contr Yes, quite a
surprise for you, m mister Smith.
Speaker 8 (18:24):
Yes, Oh, hello Henry.
Speaker 5 (18:26):
Hello, Gloria, is Waller home. I'd like to speak to him.
Speaker 8 (18:29):
He should be back soon, will you wait?
Speaker 5 (18:31):
Yes, yes, I better, Oh.
Speaker 12 (18:33):
Say Henry, as long as you're here, maybe you can
help me with something. I went downstairs to get an
old suitcase a little while ago, and I heard the
strangest noises near that old tool chest of waters.
Speaker 8 (18:45):
He mentioned that the boiler.
Speaker 12 (18:46):
Was acting up, and well, I'm afraid to go down
there again. I wonder if you'd take a look. What
kind of noises like a thumping sound?
Speaker 5 (18:56):
Well maybe I had better go down Laoria, you stay
up here?
Speaker 8 (18:59):
Should I call a plumber? Do you think?
Speaker 3 (19:00):
No?
Speaker 5 (19:00):
No, no, no, I'll take care of it.
Speaker 8 (19:02):
Well, it's right down those stairs.
Speaker 13 (19:03):
I have a look. Hello, Hello in there, i'd be out,
Hello out just a minute.
Speaker 9 (19:18):
Keep quiet, for goodness sake, I'll have to smash the lock.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
Now, what Henry, Thank thank god you've come. What's some
I've been in there all night? I thought I'd suffocate.
He tried to kill me. He tried to murder me.
Who which one of you?
Speaker 8 (19:37):
Don't be an idiot?
Speaker 5 (19:38):
I'm Walter.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
What happened me too? The marionette. He stuffed me in
that toolbox and left me to suffocate. But fortunately I
found an old file in there, managed to get an
air hole through the wood.
Speaker 5 (19:50):
He's taking Glory with him to real that they left yet. No,
he's going downtown for the tickets. Good we may have
time for what to get down to? Marionettes and corporate?
Did and tell mister Sig to stop him. You're in
no condition.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
Don't worry about me. We can't waste any time. Come on,
what about Gloria.
Speaker 8 (20:07):
I'll sneak out.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
Tell her that you fax the plumbing, tell her that anything.
I'll meet you outside, all right? What a fool, life bit,
What a fool I almost was.
Speaker 14 (20:17):
I went down and ordered one of those things today.
Speaker 12 (20:30):
Gloria, Gloria love, Yes, darling, did you get the tickets.
Speaker 9 (20:34):
To rio right here in my wallet, Honeymoon for two
under the pamp it's moon.
Speaker 8 (20:40):
Oh well, it's so nice to have you like this.
Speaker 5 (20:43):
Oh you like the change.
Speaker 12 (20:44):
I don't know what did it, but whatever it is,
I'm in favor of it.
Speaker 8 (20:48):
I hope it's permanent.
Speaker 9 (20:49):
Well, I intend to see that it is. By the way, darling,
do you happen to remember where that old pistol of
mine is?
Speaker 8 (20:56):
Pistol?
Speaker 9 (20:57):
Yeah, I just thought, since we're going to be traveling
range countries, well, it wouldn't hurt to.
Speaker 5 (21:02):
Bring it along.
Speaker 8 (21:02):
Well, I think it's here in the sideboard there. You
know how frightened I am of these things.
Speaker 5 (21:11):
Well, i'll be very careful of it.
Speaker 9 (21:13):
In fact, I think i'll go down to the basement
and practice, not really shooting it, of course, just to
make sure it's in good working order.
Speaker 8 (21:21):
Now, do be careful, dark though, I.
Speaker 5 (21:22):
Will if you should hear a shot. Now, don't be frightened.
Speaker 9 (21:26):
I may fire it into a block of wood just
to test it. Perhaps i'll fire it into that old
tool chest of mine that should absorb it.
Speaker 8 (21:34):
Well, speaking of that tool chest, what about it? It
reminds me that Henry Smith was here.
Speaker 12 (21:39):
Oh yes, I heard some noises downstairs and he went
to fix the plumbing.
Speaker 5 (21:44):
Is he still down there?
Speaker 8 (21:46):
No?
Speaker 12 (21:46):
No, he left. I really don't understand it. He seems
so anxious to see you before he went down to
the cellar, and then he just left.
Speaker 5 (21:54):
Did he stop the noises?
Speaker 8 (21:57):
Well, he must have. I don't hear them. Ye, What
is it, dear, Well?
Speaker 5 (22:01):
I have to go out for a while, darling.
Speaker 8 (22:03):
But water, we have to pack if we're leaving.
Speaker 5 (22:05):
I'll be back soon. And there's something very important I
have to attend to.
Speaker 8 (22:09):
What is it?
Speaker 9 (22:10):
We're just some personal business with Henry Smith. Now, please
excuse me, darling, And I don't worry. When I get back,
everything will be fixed once and for all. We can
enjoy the rest of our lives, just as though the
old water Brailing never existed.
Speaker 7 (22:37):
Oh, mister Brailing and mister Smith, come in, gentlemen, come in.
Speaker 5 (22:43):
What brings you? Mister Dog?
Speaker 1 (22:46):
You told me your Marionnettes were foolproof. They are my
personal guarantee.
Speaker 5 (22:52):
Ghost.
Speaker 1 (22:53):
We know all about your personal guarantee, except that mister
Brailing has dummy knocked him out, stopped him in a
toolbox to suffocate, and it's making plans to run away
with his wife.
Speaker 5 (23:02):
Oh dear, yes, well, mister Zig, well, I really don't
know what to say, gentlemen.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
What mister Brailing and myself would like to know, mister
Zig is exactly what are you planning to do to
stop this over ambitious robot.
Speaker 7 (23:16):
Well, of course we shall have to recover A B
two first, and then I'll simply dismantle.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
And he doesn't seem to want to be dismantled, mister Zig.
In fact, I think that you will have trouble catching him.
Maybe I can save you the trouble.
Speaker 8 (23:29):
Yeah, me too.
Speaker 5 (23:31):
Look out, he's got a gun.
Speaker 9 (23:32):
I thought i'd find you here when I discovered the
two chest down?
Speaker 5 (23:35):
Now how you look me too? Whatever you're planning, you
won't get away with it. Oh I think I will,
mister Zi. Can't you do something? I'm afraid I can't
think of anything.
Speaker 9 (23:43):
I'll save you the trouble because I'm going to kill
the three of you.
Speaker 5 (23:46):
Now. You won't get away with it.
Speaker 9 (23:47):
No, No, you forget the Gloria and I will be
on the plane to Rio in a few hours.
Speaker 5 (23:52):
All right, mister P. Szig you first, now see here,
this isn't fair. I created you I you can't.
Speaker 9 (23:58):
You grab I've got him a quick that hammer.
Speaker 8 (24:01):
Look out, Oh.
Speaker 5 (24:07):
Well that's the end of brailing too.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
But he got side though, right through the Holy jump
and catfish.
Speaker 5 (24:15):
And look at him. Look at Sig.
Speaker 1 (24:18):
There's nothing but a massive coils and springs. Just like
brailing too, here's nothing but a marionette.
Speaker 5 (24:26):
He's no different brailing. Do you know what this means?
Speaker 1 (24:31):
This is incredible marionette building other marionettes. But someone must
have built mister Zig originally. I wonder perhaps mister Zig
turned on whoever built him, the same way Brailing too.
Speaker 5 (24:43):
Turned on you. At any rate, we'll never.
Speaker 1 (24:46):
Know, say, I wonder how many of these things are
walking around among us? To think of that, You know,
some of our best friends might be. Come on, we
have to get out of here. But the police, now, don't.
Speaker 5 (24:58):
Be a fool. Brailing is There's been no crime committed here.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
All the police will find is two oversized puppets with
the springs coming out of them.
Speaker 5 (25:06):
And they seem so so lifelike, I know, and they
were only machinery. You got to remember that.
Speaker 10 (25:13):
What'll I tell Gloria, Well, if I were you brailing,
I wouldn't tell Gloria a thing.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
I'd simply pick up that other ticket to Rio and
take her on a honeymoon, just as she's expecting. What
about you, though, Henry, what would you do me? I'm
going home and give Neddie a kiss that'll sind your hair.
Oh you know, when I think of what might have
happened if I'd gone through with this Marionette thinger, that
makes a fellow realize how lucky he is to be
married to a decent woman. Oh, come on, let's go, Eddie, Eddie,
(25:55):
whe Ia, sweetheart. Oh I've missed you today.
Speaker 6 (25:59):
Come here, Oh, Henry, you look tired, darling. Can I
do something for you? Just tell me I'm yours to
command o.
Speaker 1 (26:11):
Man, it's a fool of jeopardize a nice home and
a loving wife like you.
Speaker 5 (26:16):
No, you do love me, don't you?
Speaker 1 (26:17):
Eddie?
Speaker 6 (26:17):
Oh no, I do.
Speaker 8 (26:19):
Let me get your slippers on.
Speaker 5 (26:21):
Oh it feels good to sit back on the sofa
and relax. Oh, you don't know what a trying day
I've had. I can see you're all upset.
Speaker 8 (26:29):
It isn't anything I've done, is it, dearest?
Speaker 1 (26:31):
Oh No, No, Well, in a way, something you've done
is connected with I guess the money money. I know
you wanted to surprise me with the house, darling, but
really you shouldn't have taken that money out of the
bank without consulting me.
Speaker 6 (26:45):
Henry, I don't even know what you're talking about.
Speaker 8 (26:50):
Oh you're so upset, darling.
Speaker 6 (26:52):
If it's anything important, let's talk about it later.
Speaker 15 (26:55):
Meanwhile, why don't you just put your head and my
shoulder and rest?
Speaker 5 (26:59):
Mm hmm, well I must have hit That sounds enticing.
Speaker 8 (27:02):
Yeah, let me make you comfortable. Yeah, I just close
your eyes.
Speaker 15 (27:09):
That's it, Neddie, Yes, darling, you hear something. No, Darling,
are you sure like what I like?
Speaker 5 (27:28):
Taking up a clock?
Speaker 1 (27:31):
Strange? I don't hear it now, But when I have
my ear against your chest. Oh no, no, she couldn't
have done that to me.
Speaker 5 (27:40):
Not, Neddy, What are you talking about? I'm talking about? No,
I won't believe it. You're mine, Neddie.
Speaker 16 (27:46):
Aren't you a real live flesh and blood?
Speaker 5 (27:50):
But I hear it.
Speaker 16 (27:51):
It's coming from you. It's coming from you.
Speaker 4 (28:07):
You have just heard X minus one presented by the
National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with Street and Smith, publishers
of Astounding science fiction Tonight by transcription X minus One
has Brought You Marionettes Incorporated, written by Ray Bradbury and
adapted for radio by George Leffards. Featured in the cast
(28:27):
were Less Damon, Dick Hamilton, Carl Swenson, Tao Getz, Arthur Cole,
Bob Hastings, Freddie Chandler, and Ginger Jones.
Speaker 5 (28:38):
You're announcer Fred Collins.
Speaker 4 (28:40):
X Minus one was directed by Daniel Sutter and is
an NBC Radio Network
Speaker 1 (28:44):
Production Pro Football Championship Los Angeles Rams versus Cleveland Brown's
Monday NBC Radio
Mm hmm.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Condown for blast off x minus five four three two
x minus one. Fire from the far horizons of the
(00:39):
unknown come transcribed tales of new dimensions in time and space.
These are stories of the future adventures in which you'll
live in a million, could be years, on a thousand,
maybe worlds. The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with Street
and Smith, publishers of Astounding science Fiction, presents.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
Minus minus minus Tonight, a Ray Bradbury's story Marionettes Incorporated.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
By the year nineteen ninety, we should see many amazing
technological advances, and yet in many ways life will be
very much the same. A husband will stop off at
a bar on his way home and perhaps unburden himself
a little to a friendly bartender.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
Ah, that's good. Almost feel as if I could go
home and face Neddie. Now, wife trouble, mister Smith, Wife
troubles Sam. If only she'd relax a little bit. Look
you see this bruise on my lip.
Speaker 5 (01:52):
She kisses me for an hour every night when I
come home. Can you do anything for it? I try, Sam, you.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Can't figure them out. Well, I guess I'll go home
and feed myself to the lioness.
Speaker 5 (02:05):
I tell you, Sam.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
When Netty gets finished demonstrating how much he's missed me,
I feel like a man who's been stuffed into an
electronic washing machine with the dial seted rints dry.
Speaker 5 (02:14):
How much do I owe you?
Speaker 6 (02:16):
Well?
Speaker 5 (02:16):
If it isn't Henry Smith, Eh Brailey, is I live?
Speaker 7 (02:21):
And breeze?
Speaker 5 (02:22):
Wald up?
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Bred?
Speaker 5 (02:22):
What are you doing here? Having the night out?
Speaker 8 (02:25):
Say?
Speaker 5 (02:26):
Does Gloria know about this? Things have changed? Henry? I
thought she kept you chained to the bedpost most of
the time. Not Nimar, Henry, not Nimar. So you want divorced?
Are you don't know Gloria's home? What did you do?
Put sleeping powder in a coffee?
Speaker 9 (02:42):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (02:42):
Couldn't this now? That would be highly unethical. Oh now, look,
I can't believe you just walked out.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
On her ten years of marriage, Henry and I never
had a night to myself. But it will be different
from now on. By the way, what time is it? Uh?
Speaker 5 (02:56):
Ten o'clock? I guess i'd better be going scared. I
don't want a crowd of my luck.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Uh, although really there's nothing to worry about.
Speaker 5 (03:05):
I'd sure like to know how you do it, Wolene,
would you really? Yes?
Speaker 1 (03:09):
I would all right, Henry, since you've always been a
friend of mine, I'll let you in on it. Come
on my cars outside, I'll drive you home and let
you see how it's done.
Speaker 5 (03:17):
Well, that's nice of you. Oh no, not at all.
We fellas have to stick together.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
I don't suppose you know how Gloria and I came
to be married in the first place.
Speaker 5 (03:41):
No, I don't.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
One evening she threatened to tear off her clothing and
call the police unless I married her.
Speaker 5 (03:47):
No.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
Oh yeah, well that's a bit extreme, isn't it. Gloria
is a nervous girl. Oh, I bet you've had a
pretty wretched.
Speaker 5 (03:55):
Time of it. Huh yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
It didn't take long for me to become the laughing
stock of the neighborhood. Henpecked, brailing, they used to call me.
I know that, But things are changing now.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
See this.
Speaker 5 (04:09):
What's this? A single ticket to Rio on the morning Rocket.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
I have hotel reservations there for a month, the whole month, Henry,
to have a fling.
Speaker 5 (04:18):
We won't glory to make trouble over there. Well, that's
the amazing part of it, Henry.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
She won't even know that I'm gone, and I'll be
back in a month and knowing the wiser.
Speaker 5 (04:30):
You don't believe it, do you? Well, frankly, no, just
how are you going to swing it? Walner? That's the secret,
he me.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
I tell you it is the most wonderful thing ever invented,
worth every cent I paid for it.
Speaker 5 (04:44):
Well, what is it?
Speaker 1 (04:47):
I'm going to show you? Here's my house. You notice
the lights.
Speaker 5 (04:52):
Are all out? Sh sh sh Now we'll wait here
on the front porch. Say you haven't gone off your rock?
I have. Let me see. Oh I'm me how twice.
(05:12):
That's that's it. Meow meow. Now watch the window in
my bedroom. It looks as if somebody's hey, there's a
man up there. He's looking loud.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
God he sees me. Now he'll be down directly. Oh now, look,
isn't this a bit embarrassing for you?
Speaker 5 (05:35):
Waller? No, no, not at all.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
You'll find out here he comes. Hello, b too, good evening,
mister Brayley. Either I'm going out of my mind or
there are two of you. You never told me you
had a twin brother. I don't, but if this fellow
were in the pajamas, I couldn't tell you apart. Well,
that's the secret, Henry. Uh, everything go all right, there
(05:59):
be two?
Speaker 5 (06:00):
Uh, just fine, mister Brayley.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
I suppose my wife was in her usual good form
this evening.
Speaker 8 (06:06):
Boy.
Speaker 5 (06:06):
As a matter of fact, we spent the evening playing gin.
No screaming, shouting accusations. No, sir, it was a very
quiet evening. Well, but this is even better than I thought.
Speaker 9 (06:20):
Marionettes incorporated James to satisfy sir?
Speaker 5 (06:24):
Did he say Marionettes incorporated? That's right?
Speaker 1 (06:27):
And then now look him over? Isn't he excellently fashioned?
You wouldn't dream he was a robot, a marionette.
Speaker 5 (06:36):
I don't believe it.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Well, it's against the law cause to duplicate a human
like this, but it's well worth the opportunity.
Speaker 5 (06:45):
I still don't believe. But you can't tell him from.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
A human, well, only one way. Put your ear next
to his chest. Huh, that's it now, listen, it's machinery,
what rule man?
Speaker 5 (06:59):
How long has this been goinging on?
Speaker 1 (07:00):
Well, I've had him a month. I keep him in
the cellar in my toolbox. And tonight I told Gloria
that I'd like to be excused for five minutes to
run down to the cigar store.
Speaker 5 (07:11):
She agreed.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
I went down the cellar took out Brailing too, and
sent him back upstairs to sit with my wife till
I got home.
Speaker 10 (07:18):
It's miraculous, of course, Waller. Well, it doesn't seem quite
ethical somehow.
Speaker 5 (07:25):
Oh nonsense, highly ethical. I've been home all evening. I
shall be home with her for the next month.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
In the meantime, another gentleman named Walter Brailing will be
in Rio having the time of his life. We can
he walk around without fuel for a month, He refuss himself. Oh,
he's built to do everything, eat, drink, sleep.
Speaker 5 (07:47):
You'll take good care of my wife, won't you be too?
Your wife is rather nice.
Speaker 9 (07:51):
I'm growing quite fond of her, you see, yeah, Waler,
oh man, how long has this marionettes incorporated?
Speaker 5 (08:00):
I'd been in business secretly for two years now. Why well,
I wonder.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
You suppose there's a possibility that I might get in
touch with him.
Speaker 5 (08:10):
You but your Nettie is madly in love with you.
Well I know that. But even so, just a little
respite you all night or two once a month, huh.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
But she loves you dearly so much she can't bear
me to leave her for a half an hour. You
know that lately she's taken to calling me up at
work ten or twelve times a day talking baby talk
your net, myntty.
Speaker 5 (08:34):
So now what do you say, old man as a
favor to an old buddy, huh a fellow lodge member. Well,
I could put.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
You in touch with the man who makes them, because
you'd be pledged to secrecy once you learned where he's
looking naturally naturally very well.
Speaker 5 (08:46):
And here's his card.
Speaker 10 (08:50):
Marionnette's Incorporated, w Zig proprietor and own a new humanoid
plastic nineteen ninety models guaranteed against where motto no strings attached.
Address the jumper Shop, forty three Southwesley Drive. Mister Zygill,
take care of the charming fellow real crafts.
Speaker 5 (09:10):
See that's wonderful word. I'll se him first thing tomorrow.
Speaker 10 (09:13):
Well, I better be getting home now, Neddie is probably
splitting a gasket.
Speaker 5 (09:17):
We'll see you a round, oh man, after I get
back from Rio.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Oh, while I'm going, you might drop around regularly, just
as you always have a treat brailing two here as
if he were me.
Speaker 5 (09:27):
Otherwise Gloria might be suspicious.
Speaker 10 (09:29):
It's fine, I'll do that. Oh, before I go. These
marionettes they're safe unte though, absolutely.
Speaker 5 (09:38):
Tell him be too. Oh we're guaranteed. That's fine. Well,
good night, Walda, good night, b two, good night, mister Smith.
Good night. Then right, Well I'm glad someone else.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Will have a chance at a little happiness and freedom.
All right, brailing too, it's back into the cellar box
for you. Come on down the steps.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
That's it. It's a very damp down here, mister Bradley.
Dad's lumming here we are. I'm brailing.
Speaker 9 (10:16):
Yeah, before you put me back into the tool box,
could we have a word?
Speaker 5 (10:21):
Certainly? Oh man, Now this toolbox, that's what about it? Well,
I don't like it, mister Brayley. Why not? It's cramped.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Oh well, I'll try to fix up something more comfortable
when I get back from really all right now, before
Gloria gets worried, back into the marionettes are made.
Speaker 5 (10:37):
To move, not keep still.
Speaker 9 (10:40):
How would you like to lie in a stuffy old
box most of the time?
Speaker 1 (10:45):
Well, I didn't realize you fellas with that sensitive or
you wouldn't like it at all.
Speaker 5 (10:48):
I keep running. There's no way to shut me off.
I have my feelings, you know.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Well, a day after tomorrow I'll be off to Rio
and you won't have to stay in the box for
a whole month.
Speaker 5 (10:58):
You can move upstairs.
Speaker 9 (10:59):
But when you come back from rio, I'll go back
into the box.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
Mister t Sich didn't tell me Mary, and that's incorporated
that it was possible to get a difficult specimen.
Speaker 5 (11:10):
Oh well, there's a lot he doesn't know.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
My nice look, Look here, beto, this has gone far enough.
I'll never get to come on, come on out into
the box and another thing?
Speaker 5 (11:20):
Your wife? Yes, what about me? I've grown quite fun.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
I'm glad that you enjoy your employment. You'll have the
whole month.
Speaker 9 (11:25):
I'm afraid you don't quite understand, brailing. I've fallen in
love with well you what, well you see it?
Speaker 5 (11:32):
You just don't appreciate it.
Speaker 9 (11:34):
Maybe if you hadn't acted so meek and apologetic about everything, well,
she'd have a little more.
Speaker 5 (11:40):
Respect for you as a man. You aren't supposed to
behave like this, you know.
Speaker 9 (11:44):
I think I could be very happy if I were
married to Gloria.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Aren't you forgetting that you are nothing but a big
overgrown puppet.
Speaker 9 (11:51):
I'm careful, brailing, I'm sense I'm sorry you you wouldn't
mind waiting here a moment, would you I have to
go upstairs and.
Speaker 5 (12:00):
Make a phone call to whom nobody.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
Important I I I have to call Henry Smith about something.
Speaker 9 (12:07):
You're lying Now you're going to call Marion it's incorporated,
and tell mister Sidon to come and get.
Speaker 5 (12:13):
No, really, I'm not. I I was.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
I was b too, Stay away, stand where you are, Braley,
b too, Take your hand off my.
Speaker 5 (12:20):
Own Brailey, what are you going to do? Nothing much?
Speaker 9 (12:23):
I'm just going to put you in the toolbox and
lock it and lose the key. Then I'll buy another
ticket to Rio and Gloria and I can have a
wonderful vacation.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
Shouldn say? Oh am I?
Speaker 1 (12:35):
Now wait a minute, hold on, be too, don't don't,
don't be rash. Now let's talk this over good vibran
Now be too, stop it, don't don't.
Speaker 5 (12:42):
Let's drip into the box bringing as we all remember.
Speaker 8 (12:54):
Water.
Speaker 5 (12:56):
Yes, Gloria, what are you doing down there? Why? Nothing? Lover?
The pipes were knocking, and I'm just making sure.
Speaker 9 (13:05):
The boiler hasn't exploded. Now you go to bed and
I'll be up soon.
Speaker 8 (13:08):
Hurry, won't you? We had said to night evening.
Speaker 5 (13:11):
I'm lonesome for you.
Speaker 9 (13:14):
You won't ever be lonesome again, Darling, never again.
Speaker 5 (13:29):
Good morning, Noddick, Good morning, Darling.
Speaker 6 (13:32):
How are you have a nice time last night?
Speaker 5 (13:35):
I missed you so his breakfast ready?
Speaker 8 (13:39):
Well, aren't you going to kiss me? Good morning?
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Oh yes, I spoke so.
Speaker 5 (13:49):
So wonderful, Henry.
Speaker 6 (13:52):
I guess I'm the luckiest person in the world. Now,
here's your coffee. How would you like your eggs anyway
at all?
Speaker 8 (14:01):
But I want to please you.
Speaker 5 (14:02):
Look, skip the eggs this morning.
Speaker 8 (14:04):
But you have to eat to keep well, Darling.
Speaker 10 (14:06):
I'm very healthy. I have an early business appointment this morning.
Oh yes, it's a friend of Waller Braiding's. I met
Wala last night. Oh yes, so I'd better be off now, Neddie,
don't look as if I were on my way to
Rio or something.
Speaker 6 (14:25):
It's just that I miss you so I want to
be with you all the time.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
Dear, do I have to go through this every morning?
I'll be back at supper now. There's no need to cry, now,
is there?
Speaker 5 (14:39):
No?
Speaker 1 (14:39):
Darling?
Speaker 6 (14:40):
You you aren't displeased with me, are you? I try
so hard to do everything just as I think you'll
like it.
Speaker 5 (14:46):
No, No, I'm not displeased. Goodbye, dear y.
Speaker 6 (14:52):
Yes, you forgot to kiss me goodbye.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
No strings attached now strings attached to the very nice puppet,
with no strings attached to due. Let's see in a
jumble shop forty three Wesley. Well, that should be about
huh here it is, yes, mister tig. Yes, Walter Brailing
(15:28):
recommended me.
Speaker 5 (15:30):
Thank you your.
Speaker 10 (15:32):
Name Henry Smith, fifty five Evergreen Place in What can
we do for you, mister Smith? Well, mister Brailing showed
me his Marionette last night. But I was intrigued with
the idea. Not that my wife as anything like that
female meat grinder. He's married too, you understand.
Speaker 5 (15:49):
But uh, well, I'm a man who enjoys an.
Speaker 10 (15:52):
Occasional evening with the boys, you know, without complications.
Speaker 5 (15:56):
Yes, so I thought.
Speaker 7 (15:57):
That I could duplicate you exactly. I think it might
be a ring.
Speaker 5 (16:05):
Is how much?
Speaker 7 (16:06):
Nine thousand dollars? Oh, I have an inferior model. It's
seventy five.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
No, no, if I go through with this, nothing is
too good for Nattie.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Nettie's my wife. We've been putting money aside by a
summer home in Westport, but sometimes we must too.
Speaker 10 (16:24):
Yeah, as well, perhaps I could just slip out nine
thousand to join the count.
Speaker 5 (16:30):
How soon could I have it?
Speaker 1 (16:32):
Oh?
Speaker 7 (16:32):
I could construct the mannequin about two months time.
Speaker 5 (16:36):
Good? Shall I consider the all the places at once?
Speaker 7 (16:40):
Of course you will have to report you for a
body mode, color index of your hair, lips, skin, et cetera.
And I'll have to do a complete electrical emotional calibration.
Speaker 10 (16:54):
Now you guarantee that these models are foolproof, as foolproof
as I.
Speaker 5 (16:59):
Can make them.
Speaker 7 (17:00):
Smith, I've had years of training and there's no chance
of detection, none, whatever. I've never had the complain.
Speaker 10 (17:08):
Oh, very well, mister saying, I'll get the money from
the bank and send it to you.
Speaker 7 (17:12):
I'm sure you won't be sorry, mister Smith. You will
be just as satisfied. It's Walter Brailey.
Speaker 8 (17:30):
Oh well tell her, yes, mister Smith.
Speaker 5 (17:32):
Am I to carrish this draft on my joint account?
Speaker 11 (17:34):
Yes, sir, nine thousand dollars, that's right. Oh, I'm afraid
that's impossible, mister Smith.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
Impossible. My wife and I have a good fifteen thousand
dollars in our account. You're mistaken, mister Smith.
Speaker 11 (17:48):
Here's your card, sir, You see missus Smith Withdrew ten
thousand dollars recently ten thousand dollars, without even telling me.
I remember it distinctly, mister Smith. She said it was
for a surprise for you.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
Good lord, she's bought that house in Connecticut. My birthday
is next week. Oh no, no, no, I've got.
Speaker 5 (18:09):
The bar with somewhere. I've already contr Yes, quite a
surprise for you, m mister Smith.
Speaker 8 (18:24):
Yes, Oh, hello Henry.
Speaker 5 (18:26):
Hello, Gloria, is Waller home. I'd like to speak to him.
Speaker 8 (18:29):
He should be back soon, will you wait?
Speaker 5 (18:31):
Yes, yes, I better, Oh.
Speaker 12 (18:33):
Say Henry, as long as you're here, maybe you can
help me with something. I went downstairs to get an
old suitcase a little while ago, and I heard the
strangest noises near that old tool chest of waters.
Speaker 8 (18:45):
He mentioned that the boiler.
Speaker 12 (18:46):
Was acting up, and well, I'm afraid to go down
there again. I wonder if you'd take a look. What
kind of noises like a thumping sound?
Speaker 5 (18:56):
Well maybe I had better go down Laoria, you stay
up here?
Speaker 8 (18:59):
Should I call a plumber? Do you think?
Speaker 3 (19:00):
No?
Speaker 5 (19:00):
No, no, no, I'll take care of it.
Speaker 8 (19:02):
Well, it's right down those stairs.
Speaker 13 (19:03):
I have a look. Hello, Hello in there, i'd be out,
Hello out just a minute.
Speaker 9 (19:18):
Keep quiet, for goodness sake, I'll have to smash the lock.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
Now, what Henry, Thank thank god you've come. What's some
I've been in there all night? I thought I'd suffocate.
He tried to kill me. He tried to murder me.
Who which one of you?
Speaker 8 (19:37):
Don't be an idiot?
Speaker 5 (19:38):
I'm Walter.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
What happened me too? The marionette. He stuffed me in
that toolbox and left me to suffocate. But fortunately I
found an old file in there, managed to get an
air hole through the wood.
Speaker 5 (19:50):
He's taking Glory with him to real that they left yet. No,
he's going downtown for the tickets. Good we may have
time for what to get down to? Marionettes and corporate?
Did and tell mister Sig to stop him. You're in
no condition.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
Don't worry about me. We can't waste any time. Come on,
what about Gloria.
Speaker 8 (20:07):
I'll sneak out.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
Tell her that you fax the plumbing, tell her that anything.
I'll meet you outside, all right? What a fool, life bit,
What a fool I almost was.
Speaker 14 (20:17):
I went down and ordered one of those things today.
Speaker 12 (20:30):
Gloria, Gloria love, Yes, darling, did you get the tickets.
Speaker 9 (20:34):
To rio right here in my wallet, Honeymoon for two
under the pamp it's moon.
Speaker 8 (20:40):
Oh well, it's so nice to have you like this.
Speaker 5 (20:43):
Oh you like the change.
Speaker 12 (20:44):
I don't know what did it, but whatever it is,
I'm in favor of it.
Speaker 8 (20:48):
I hope it's permanent.
Speaker 9 (20:49):
Well, I intend to see that it is. By the way, darling,
do you happen to remember where that old pistol of
mine is?
Speaker 8 (20:56):
Pistol?
Speaker 9 (20:57):
Yeah, I just thought, since we're going to be traveling
range countries, well, it wouldn't hurt to.
Speaker 5 (21:02):
Bring it along.
Speaker 8 (21:02):
Well, I think it's here in the sideboard there. You
know how frightened I am of these things.
Speaker 5 (21:11):
Well, i'll be very careful of it.
Speaker 9 (21:13):
In fact, I think i'll go down to the basement
and practice, not really shooting it, of course, just to
make sure it's in good working order.
Speaker 8 (21:21):
Now, do be careful, dark though, I.
Speaker 5 (21:22):
Will if you should hear a shot. Now, don't be frightened.
Speaker 9 (21:26):
I may fire it into a block of wood just
to test it. Perhaps i'll fire it into that old
tool chest of mine that should absorb it.
Speaker 8 (21:34):
Well, speaking of that tool chest, what about it? It
reminds me that Henry Smith was here.
Speaker 12 (21:39):
Oh yes, I heard some noises downstairs and he went
to fix the plumbing.
Speaker 5 (21:44):
Is he still down there?
Speaker 8 (21:46):
No?
Speaker 12 (21:46):
No, he left. I really don't understand it. He seems
so anxious to see you before he went down to
the cellar, and then he just left.
Speaker 5 (21:54):
Did he stop the noises?
Speaker 8 (21:57):
Well, he must have. I don't hear them. Ye, What
is it, dear, Well?
Speaker 5 (22:01):
I have to go out for a while, darling.
Speaker 8 (22:03):
But water, we have to pack if we're leaving.
Speaker 5 (22:05):
I'll be back soon. And there's something very important I
have to attend to.
Speaker 8 (22:09):
What is it?
Speaker 9 (22:10):
We're just some personal business with Henry Smith. Now, please
excuse me, darling, And I don't worry. When I get back,
everything will be fixed once and for all. We can
enjoy the rest of our lives, just as though the
old water Brailing never existed.
Speaker 7 (22:37):
Oh, mister Brailing and mister Smith, come in, gentlemen, come in.
Speaker 5 (22:43):
What brings you? Mister Dog?
Speaker 1 (22:46):
You told me your Marionnettes were foolproof. They are my
personal guarantee.
Speaker 5 (22:52):
Ghost.
Speaker 1 (22:53):
We know all about your personal guarantee, except that mister
Brailing has dummy knocked him out, stopped him in a
toolbox to suffocate, and it's making plans to run away
with his wife.
Speaker 5 (23:02):
Oh dear, yes, well, mister Zig, well, I really don't
know what to say, gentlemen.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
What mister Brailing and myself would like to know, mister
Zig is exactly what are you planning to do to
stop this over ambitious robot.
Speaker 7 (23:16):
Well, of course we shall have to recover A B
two first, and then I'll simply dismantle.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
And he doesn't seem to want to be dismantled, mister Zig.
In fact, I think that you will have trouble catching him.
Maybe I can save you the trouble.
Speaker 8 (23:29):
Yeah, me too.
Speaker 5 (23:31):
Look out, he's got a gun.
Speaker 9 (23:32):
I thought i'd find you here when I discovered the
two chest down?
Speaker 5 (23:35):
Now how you look me too? Whatever you're planning, you
won't get away with it. Oh I think I will,
mister Zi. Can't you do something? I'm afraid I can't
think of anything.
Speaker 9 (23:43):
I'll save you the trouble because I'm going to kill
the three of you.
Speaker 5 (23:46):
Now. You won't get away with it.
Speaker 9 (23:47):
No, No, you forget the Gloria and I will be
on the plane to Rio in a few hours.
Speaker 5 (23:52):
All right, mister P. Szig you first, now see here,
this isn't fair. I created you I you can't.
Speaker 9 (23:58):
You grab I've got him a quick that hammer.
Speaker 8 (24:01):
Look out, Oh.
Speaker 5 (24:07):
Well that's the end of brailing too.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
But he got side though, right through the Holy jump
and catfish.
Speaker 5 (24:15):
And look at him. Look at Sig.
Speaker 1 (24:18):
There's nothing but a massive coils and springs. Just like
brailing too, here's nothing but a marionette.
Speaker 5 (24:26):
He's no different brailing. Do you know what this means?
Speaker 1 (24:31):
This is incredible marionette building other marionettes. But someone must
have built mister Zig originally. I wonder perhaps mister Zig
turned on whoever built him, the same way Brailing too.
Speaker 5 (24:43):
Turned on you. At any rate, we'll never.
Speaker 1 (24:46):
Know, say, I wonder how many of these things are
walking around among us? To think of that, You know,
some of our best friends might be. Come on, we
have to get out of here. But the police, now, don't.
Speaker 5 (24:58):
Be a fool. Brailing is There's been no crime committed here.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
All the police will find is two oversized puppets with
the springs coming out of them.
Speaker 5 (25:06):
And they seem so so lifelike, I know, and they
were only machinery. You got to remember that.
Speaker 10 (25:13):
What'll I tell Gloria, Well, if I were you brailing,
I wouldn't tell Gloria a thing.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
I'd simply pick up that other ticket to Rio and
take her on a honeymoon, just as she's expecting. What
about you, though, Henry, what would you do me? I'm
going home and give Neddie a kiss that'll sind your hair.
Oh you know, when I think of what might have
happened if I'd gone through with this Marionette thinger, that
makes a fellow realize how lucky he is to be
married to a decent woman. Oh, come on, let's go, Eddie, Eddie,
(25:55):
whe Ia, sweetheart. Oh I've missed you today.
Speaker 6 (25:59):
Come here, Oh, Henry, you look tired, darling. Can I
do something for you? Just tell me I'm yours to
command o.
Speaker 1 (26:11):
Man, it's a fool of jeopardize a nice home and
a loving wife like you.
Speaker 5 (26:16):
No, you do love me, don't you?
Speaker 1 (26:17):
Eddie?
Speaker 6 (26:17):
Oh no, I do.
Speaker 8 (26:19):
Let me get your slippers on.
Speaker 5 (26:21):
Oh it feels good to sit back on the sofa
and relax. Oh, you don't know what a trying day
I've had. I can see you're all upset.
Speaker 8 (26:29):
It isn't anything I've done, is it, dearest?
Speaker 1 (26:31):
Oh No, No, Well, in a way, something you've done
is connected with I guess the money money. I know
you wanted to surprise me with the house, darling, but
really you shouldn't have taken that money out of the
bank without consulting me.
Speaker 6 (26:45):
Henry, I don't even know what you're talking about.
Speaker 8 (26:50):
Oh you're so upset, darling.
Speaker 6 (26:52):
If it's anything important, let's talk about it later.
Speaker 15 (26:55):
Meanwhile, why don't you just put your head and my
shoulder and rest?
Speaker 5 (26:59):
Mm hmm, well I must have hit That sounds enticing.
Speaker 8 (27:02):
Yeah, let me make you comfortable. Yeah, I just close
your eyes.
Speaker 15 (27:09):
That's it, Neddie, Yes, darling, you hear something. No, Darling,
are you sure like what I like?
Speaker 5 (27:28):
Taking up a clock?
Speaker 1 (27:31):
Strange? I don't hear it now, But when I have
my ear against your chest. Oh no, no, she couldn't
have done that to me.
Speaker 5 (27:40):
Not, Neddy, What are you talking about? I'm talking about? No,
I won't believe it. You're mine, Neddie.
Speaker 16 (27:46):
Aren't you a real live flesh and blood?
Speaker 5 (27:50):
But I hear it.
Speaker 16 (27:51):
It's coming from you. It's coming from you.
Speaker 4 (28:07):
You have just heard X minus one presented by the
National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with Street and Smith, publishers
of Astounding science fiction Tonight by transcription X minus One
has Brought You Marionettes Incorporated, written by Ray Bradbury and
adapted for radio by George Leffards. Featured in the cast
(28:27):
were Less Damon, Dick Hamilton, Carl Swenson, Tao Getz, Arthur Cole,
Bob Hastings, Freddie Chandler, and Ginger Jones.
Speaker 5 (28:38):
You're announcer Fred Collins.
Speaker 4 (28:40):
X Minus one was directed by Daniel Sutter and is
an NBC Radio Network
Speaker 1 (28:44):
Production Pro Football Championship Los Angeles Rams versus Cleveland Brown's
Monday NBC Radio
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