This is KOIN Portland. Come in. Welcome. I'm
E .G. Marshall. I'm afraid the chairs aren't
very comfortable, but that doesn't matter because
in just a moment you'll be sitting on the edge
of them. For we'll be bringing you the tale of
the thing inside. A strange and potent force
sealed up and held in check that cried to be
released and once it was freed, brought terror
and death to a whole countryside. Sergeant, what's
this all about? Has there been any trouble over
at Ezra's place? I guess you could call it trouble,
Mrs. Farrar. He was killed last night. He was
what? Killed. Murdered. His nephew went over
there early this morning and found him. Oh, but
that's awful. I thought he was a dreadful man,
but... Well, have you any idea who did it? Not
yet. That's why I stopped by here to find out
if you'd seen or heard anything. I'm sorry. I
wish we could help you but How was he killed
it was pretty bad? Whoever did it must have really
hated him or else been out of his mind Because
it was done with an axe Our mystery drama the
thing inside was written especially for the Mystery
Theatre by Robert Newman and stars Ralph Bell
and Bryna Rayburn. I'll be back shortly with
Act One. What is evil? Is it abstract or concrete?
Does it seek us out, or do we seek it? Either
way, there is something in all of us that senses
its presence, and when we do, most of us draw
back from it in fear. But occasionally, for reasons
we do not always understand, we are attracted
to it and come under its spell, thus freeing
it to work its destruction on an unsuspecting
world. Our story begins as John and Sarah Farrar
get out of their car and walk towards a rather
shabby and rundown antique shop in a small New
England village. It's not much of a place. No.
Still, you never know. Paul's picked up some
pretty nice things in places like this. That
tavern sign for instance. That's true. Good afternoon.
Oh, good afternoon. Do you mind if we... Look
around? No, not at all. You're looking for anything
in particular? No, not really. Possibly some
dishes. Do you have any white ironstone? No,
I'm afraid not. It doesn't matter. That's a rather
nice painting there. Schooner? Yes, it is. Do
you know anything about it? No, except that it's
American. Early 19th century. John, look at this.
What? Oh, yes. Did you say early 19th century?
Yeah. I don't think so. I'd say it was, wasn't
more than 20 years old, a copy of something earlier.
Why do you say that? Because of the condition
of the canvas and the varnish. You a dealer?
No, I'm a painter. Oh. Well, you may be right.
I'm sure I am. Ooh. Hello. Have you found something?
Yes. Can you tell us anything about this? A glass
of paperweight. Oh, is that what it is? Yep.
At least I think so. What do you think of it,
Sarah? No, it's interesting. Yes, it is. Especially
when you hold it up to the light. When you turn
the ball, it moves. I've never seen anything
quite like it. Neither have I. Paul would probably
know what it is. Never mind. How much do you
want for it? Five dollars. What do you say, Sarah?
Shall we buy it? Oh, I don't know, John. It just
looks like a glass ball to me. Well, I like it.
I like looking at it. Yes, but five dollars for
something that may be nothing at all. Why do
you say it's nothing when I say I like it? Well,
because five dollars is a lot of money. For us
anyway, you don't have to rub it in. I'm sorry
darling. I just know what you meant Yeah, if
you really want it you can have it for three
dollars. I do want it I'll take it John I Said
I'll take it Hello anybody home What's all this?
Oh, my brother sent me a case of fruit from Florida,
and I thought you and John might like some. That's
awfully nice of you, Paul. No, not really. I'd
never finish it all by myself. Well, I still
think it's very nice of you. Thank you. Well,
you're very welcome. Where's John? In the studio.
Oh, how is he? Oh, about the same. Not very good.
Still not working, huh? No. He's trying. He...
He goes in there every day. Well, it's happened
to almost every painter at some time or another.
You get a bad period, just can't seem to do anything.
Oh, Paul. I thought I heard your voice. How are
you? Fine, John. And you? Okay. Where'd all this
fruit come from? Paul brought it over. My brother
sent me a whole case of it and I thought you
might like some. It's very nice of you. I was
hoping you'd stop by. There's something I wanted
to show you, ask you about. Oh, what's that?
This glass ball. Oh, where'd you get it? In a
prominent little antique shop in Preston. Oh,
yes. I know the place. The guy said it was a
paperware. Well, it can't be. It doesn't have
a base. It isn't even flat on one side. That's
what I thought. What do you think it is, then?
I have no idea. The only thing I've ever seen
that's even vaguely like this are witch balls.
Witch balls? Yeah, you sometimes find them down
in Pennsylvania. They're like hex signs, supposed
to keep witches away. Oh, yes. It's a very interesting
thing. Beautiful piece of glass blowing. Yes,
isn't it? Take it over the light and look at
it more closely. There's something inside it,
kind of shadow. Oh. I don't see anything. Well,
hold it up. Turn it. Oh, you mean that kind of
a swirl? Mm -hmm. I think that's just an air
bubble or maybe an imperfection in the glass.
I don't. I think there's something inside it
that the glass was blown around it. Hey, give
it to me. Oh, John! It slipped out of my hands.
It didn't break it. Did it crack? No. Look at
that. Dropped on the fireplace and there's not
a mark or a scratch on it. Well, that's impossible.
Well, look at it. Well, you're right. I've never
seen anything like it. It can't be ordinary glass.
I'll tell you what, John. I've got a friend who's
an expert. Collects paperweights. If you like,
I'll take it and show it to you. No, no. It's
not leaving this house. John! I just thought...
I say it's not leaving this house. All right,
John. I'm going back inside. I'll see you, Paul.
Uh, yes, Jack. Well, uh, he really has a thing
about it, hasn't he? Yes. When did he get it?
Oh, just yesterday. I don't like it. Why not?
I don't know, I just have a funny feeling about
it. I have had from the first time I saw it.
even crack I don't understand That's why I came
over. Oh, I'm sorry, Paul. What's the news? Well,
it'll affect you and John more than it does anyone
else. You know those rumors that Ezra Tate was
going to sell that 200 -acre parcel of his to
a developer? Well, apparently they're true. Oh,
no. But how do you know? Well, I was just at
the bank and Peterson told me. Well, that's certainly
not good, that Ezra's going to sell. That doesn't
mean that they can go ahead and build there.
What if they'd have to get the approval of the
zoning board? Have you forgotten that Harry Walker,
the board chairman, is his nephew? He wouldn't
dare. You mean you think it really may go through?
I'm afraid so. But that's awful. You know, we
bought this place, put every cent we have into
it, mostly because of the location and the view.
If the deal does go through, that will be the
end of it. I know. And that's not all. I wouldn't
want to go on living here with a development
right under our Moses. And I don't think anyone
else would want to either. Well, I'm afraid you'd
take a bad licking if you tried to sell the place.
Well, don't say anything about it to John until
we really do know what's going to happen. He
hates Ezra Tate as it is, and when he hears about
this, he's... That's right. He has had a bit
of trouble with him, hasn't he? Oh, from the
day we moved in here. first about the boundary
line and then about Oh Hello, I didn't know you're
here. I was just passing by and I thought I'd
drop in I'm glad you did It's matter of fact.
I was gonna call you. Oh my what? You know that
glass ball I showed you yesterday. Yes, of course
If you wanted to break it Really break it How'd
you go about it? Why on earth would you want
to break it? It's a beautiful thing. Oh, yes,
it is. But suppose I did want to break it. I
really don't know, John. Can you think of any
way it can be done with fire and water? Fire
and water? Yes. Well, I suppose if you put it
in a fire and got it very hot or close to its
melting point and... and dropped it into cold
water, that might do it. Of course. Thanks, Paul.
John, wait. You mean you're really going to...
Yes. Why? Because I've got to. I've got a feeling
that if I do break it, can break it up. What?
Never mind. I'll see you, Paul. way Sarah I know
it doesn't make sense but after all there's no
harm in it I'm not so sure about that why do
you say that I told you I I had a funny feeling
about the thing from the first time I saw it
well if he does break it destroy it that will
be the end of it I wonder I didn't realize I
had. Hi. May I come in? Of course. Oh, it's hopefully
hot in here. I know, it's the fire. Oh, yes.
Then, are you really going to do it? Yes. I've
had the ball on the fire for about a half hour
now. I was just about to take it out. Darling,
I don't like this. I know you don't. What do
I do with the tongs? Over there. Oh, yes. Now,
stand back. I'm going to take it out. And then
drop it in the pail of water? Yes. Come on now.
There we are. Darling, be careful. I will. Ready?
Yes. I think I did it. What happened to the ball?
Well, see for yourself. It practically exploded
into a hundred pieces. Oh, yes. Well, are you
satisfied now? Yes. Now, wait a minute. Look
at this. This is what was inside it. It's center.
Another ball? A small blank? Yes, but it wasn't
black before. The heat must have turned it black.
What are you going to do with it? Keep it. Why?
Just so. Now stop looking so upset, Sarah. Things
are going to be different now. What do you mean?
Well, you'll see. Everything's going to be fine.
Better than they've ever been before. The mysterious
glass ball has been broken. And though he should
know better, John Farrar seems pleased about
it. For there are some things that it is best
to leave alone. Was he right in thinking there
was something sealed in the ball? Will it give
him the things he wants? And if so, at what cost?
We'll find out shortly when I return with Act
Two. is a time of uncertainty. And though she
could not have said why, Sarah Farrar was not
just uncertain, but anxious as she stood beside
her husband and saw the glass ball shatter. But
now she's beginning to feel that perhaps she
was mistaken. For when John woke this morning,
he was in better spirits than he has been for
months. He went into his studio early and has
been in there all day. It's evening now, almost
supper time, and he still has not come out. Yes?
Darling, it's almost six o 'clock and I wondered
if... It's what? Almost six o 'clock. You're
kidding, it can't be. But it is. Oh, good Lord,
I had no idea. I kept thinking while I had it
I'd stay with it, keep on going for just a little
while longer. You mean... You mean you've been
working? Have I ever? Oh, can I look? Of course.
It's not quite finished. I want to do a little
more with the background, but what do you think?
Oh, darling, it's good. It's terribly good. You
really think so? Oh, yes. It's the best thing
you've ever done. In some ways, it's like summer
morning, but different, stronger. You're right.
It is something like summer morning, and it is
different, but... Well, it would have to be,
because I'm suddenly seeing everything differently.
Feeling differently. It's as if I'd been handcuffed
for months, and I was suddenly free. Darling,
I'm so glad. Six o 'clock. No wonder I'm starving.
Didn't you have any lunch? I went out around
noon. No, no, I forgot about it. What's for supper?
Beef stew. Oh, good. And wine? Well, there's
that bottle we were saving for a special occasion.
I think this is it, don't you? Oh, I certainly
do. Oh, darling, why don't you wash up and...
Oh, I'll get it. Hello? Hello, sir. Oh, Paul,
hello. Well, you sound pretty good. Oh, I feel
that way. John finally broke through and he's
working. Working beautifully. You don't sound
so good. Is anything wrong? I'm afraid so. I
just heard that the deal on Ezra Tate's land
is definitely going through. The closing's tomorrow.
Oh no. And there's no way of stopping it? None
that I know of. Then I guess I'll have to tell
John. Tell me what? Are you... Some rather bad
news. Don't you know that talk that Ezra Take
was going to sell the 200 acres across the road
to a developer? Yes. Well, apparently it's true.
What? It can't be. I'm afraid it is, John. The
closings tomorrow. But he can't do anything like
that. It'd ruin the town. And not just the town.
John, we couldn't go on living here with a couple
of hundred ticky -tacky houses right across the
road. I know. But I'm afraid nothing can be done
about it. No? Well, we'll see about that. John,
where are you going? To talk to him. No, John,
wait! Don't! Wait! Haven't you any feeling at
all for anyone else? Don't you realize what it'll
do not just to me, my place, but the whole town?
It can't take another couple of hundred people.
The deal's set, that's that. But can't you see?
Okay. Okay, how much are they offering you for
it? Why, you wanna know? Because I'll buy it
from you. I'll give you a couple thousand over
their price. I'll get it somewhere. Just about
what you can afford. Now you get out of here.
Okay. But this isn't the end of it, is it? Oh,
John. Thank heaven you're back. I was afraid.
Well, what happened? You laughed at me. Oh, you
should have known he would. He's a dreadful old
man. He's a monster. He doesn't give a damn about
anyone or anything. I'd like to see him drop
dead. John! Well, I would. Or just dropping dead
would be too good for him. I'd like to have something
really terrible happen to him. How do you do?
Is your husband around? Yes, he's in his studio.
Could I talk to him for a few minutes? Well,
he's working, but I think so. Come in. Thank
you. But I wondered if you could help us. With
what, Sergeant? Were you home last night? Yes,
we were. We were here most nights. What time
did you get to bed? Fairly early. About ten.
Yes, that's right. And did you get up for any
reason, or did you sleep right through the night?
Well, we slept straight through. At least I did.
What? I was hoping that maybe you'd gotten up.
Tell me if you heard or saw anything unusual.
A car going up the road to Ezra Tate's place,
for instance. Well, I didn't. Did you, sir? No.
We'd had a big day and I slipped like a log.
You know Tate, don't you? Yeah, we sure do. I
take it you don't like him very much. Well, that's
the understatement of the year. We've had nothing
but trouble with him since we moved up here.
Sergeant! What's this all about? Has there been
any trouble at his place? I guess you could call
it trouble. He was killed last night. He was
what? Killed. Murdered. His nephew went over
there early this morning and found him. Oh, but
that's awful. I thought he was a dreadful man,
but have you any idea who did it? Not yet. That's
why I stopped by here to find out if you'd seen
or heard anything. I'm sorry. I wish we could
help you but Well, how was he killed it was pretty
bad Whoever did it must have really hated him
or else been out of his mind Because he was done
with an axe not a nice way to kill someone, not
at all. And whoever or whatever did it didn't
waste very much time. For it was only last night
that John Farrar said, I'd like to see something
really terrible happen to him. And what did happen
was horrible enough to shock even him. The question
is, was it a coincidence or is there more to
it than that? Could it have something to do with
the shattering of the glass ball? We'll find
out shortly when I return with Act 3. There's
a finality to death. Even the death of the unloved
and unmoored. that we all find sobering. For
it reminds us of our own mortality. It's late
afternoon now and Sarah Farrar is in the kitchen
of the old farmhouse when a car drives up, stops
outside. She goes to the door, opens it. Hello,
Paul. Hello, Sarah. How are you? Well, I've been
better. I gather you heard the news then. About
Ezra? Yes. Who'd you hear it from? The state
police. One of them stopped by this morning.
He wanted to know whether John or I had heard
or seen anything last night. And had you? No!
We were both pretty tired. John had been working
like a maniac all day and we slept right through.
I see. How's John? Well, of course he's upset.
It's a scary thing when something like that happens
so close by and... You don't know who did it
or why, but he'll get it. I hope so. I've been
worried about him. Why? Well, he certainly wasn't
in very good shape the other day. That whole
involvement of his with that glass ball. Oh,
that. I was pretty worried about that myself,
but once he broke it and snapped his painting
block, it started working. Well, he really feels
there was some connection there. Apparently.
Well, as long as he's working, I take it he still
is. Oh, yes. He finished one painting. He's already
started on another. Oh, good. The reason I stopped
by was because I wanted to find out if the two
of you were free Friday night. Oh, yes, we are.
Then would you come over for dinner? Benson of
the Benson Gallery is coming up from New York.
And if John is working again, I thought he ought
to meet him. Oh, poor. You really are a very
good friend. Oh, come on, Sarah. You know how
I feel about you. Both of you. You've had a pretty
rough time since you moved up here, and if I've
done anything to help... Oh! Oh, hello. I didn't
hear you cry. You been here long? No, just a
few minutes. Oh, Paul stopped by to invite us
over for dinner Friday night. Benson of the Benson
Gallery is going to be there. Oh, that's nice.
What do you think of our big local news? Ezra
Tate's death? That's pretty shocking. Yes, it
is. On the other hand, it did take care of a
pretty serious problem for us. Oh, what do you
mean? Well, now that he's gone, that's the end
of that housing development. I'm afraid it isn't,
John. Well, why not? His nephew is his only living
relative. He'll inherit everything Ezra had,
including his land and... He's already telling
people he intends to go through with the deal.
Well, he can't do that. He's head of the town
zoning board. Yes, he is, but he was willing
to push the thing through when it meant money
in his uncle's pocket. Don't you think you'll
be even more anxious to do it when it means money
in his own? But that's even worse. Well, a little
more direct and obvious, but no worse. And nothing
can be done about it? I'm afraid not. The zoning
board is his baby, does just what he says. Well,
it would serve him right if the same thing happened
to him that happened to Ezra. John, that's a
terrible thing to say. Is it? I don't like violence
any more than you do, Sarah, but when a man is
willing to destroy a whole community out of sheer
greed, I say the world's better off without him.
Oh, yes, of course I am. Why? Well, I couldn't
imagine what had happened to you. You said you
were going into work for just a half hour or
so. That's right. What time is it? Almost 11.
It's not. Yes, it is. I must have fallen asleep
again. I worked for a while and started feeling
tired and sat down here. Well, you've really
been at it these last few days. I guess I have.
John. Why are you keeping this thing here? What
thing? This black thing that was in the center
of the glass bowl. I told you I was going to
keep it. But why? Because I like it. I like looking
at it. Was that what you were doing before you
fell asleep? Yes. Oh, I wish you wouldn't. I
wish you'd get rid of it. Oh, don't be silly,
Sarah. The day I found the bowl. Or rather, the
day I broke it open was one of the most important
days of my life. Hasn't everything been different
since then? Well, if you mean you've been working,
working well, yes, but I... But what? Oh, never
mind. Are you coming up to bed now? I guess so.
Just let me clean my brushes and put them away.
Oh, who on earth is that? I have no idea. I'll
get it. Oh, Paul, I was upstairs reading. I just
came down to see what was keeping John. Is he
there with you? Oh, he's in the studio. Why?
Well, I wasn't sure whether I should call or
not, but I finally decided I would. Sarah, I've
got some more news that's just as shocking as
the last. Harry Walker was killed tonight. What?
Where? The towel? In his home. His wife was out,
came back, and found him dead in the kitchen.
Oh, no. And they don't know who did it? Not any
more than they do who killed Ezra. Hi. Oh, good
morning, darling. I couldn't decide whether to
wake you or let you sleep. Oh, I haven't been
asleep for some time. I'm just lying there thinking.
I know, but I thought you might doze off. You
didn't sleep much last night? No. Well, how about
some breakfast? I don't want any. John, you should
eat something. I can't. I feel awful. Because
of what you said when Paul was here about how
Harry Walker deserved to die too? Partly. Well,
you shouldn't. All right, it was a horrible thing
to say, but... You were angry, upset. Yes, I
was, but don't you realize that the same thing
happened before with Ezra? I said I hoped something
terrible would happen to him, and it did. Yes,
it did, but we often say things we don't really
mean. But I did mean it. I meant it both times.
That's what makes it so frightening. Why frightening?
Look, you don't think that just saying it had
anything to do with their deaths, do you? Yes,
I do. John! Well, I do. Do you remember what
I told you about the glass ball? That there was
something in it? Yes. What if there was? And
what if, when I released it, it began doing things
for me in return? John, that's ridiculous! It
was just a glass ball. Was it? I told you that
I had to break it, that it was very important.
And it was right after I did that I started working
again. But that could have happened anyway. Maybe.
But then twice after that, when I said I hoped
something would happen to someone, it did. That
was just a coincidence. When the same thing happens
twice in the same way, it's not a coincidence.
But that's not the worst of it. What if the same
thing happens still again? John! John, that's
insane. Things don't happen just because we want
them to. There's no connection between what happened
to either Ezra or Harry Walker. And even if there
were, how could the same thing happen again?
You don't feel the same way about anyone else?
Don't I? Oh! You've no idea? No. We don't know
that many people up here. You don't mean Paul.
Yes. Good old Paul, who's always doing things
for us. Only it hasn't been for us. It's been
for you. He's in love with you, isn't he? Oh,
John. John, this is terrible. I've been concerned
about you, worried about you for some time, but
I... I never realized. You really are sick. Are
you saying it's not true? Of course it's not
true. He's just a friend, a good friend. I wish
I could believe you. Meaning you don't? I don't
know. I'll have to think about it. But there's
nothing to think about. I tell you... John, where
are you going? didn't take the car if he walked
it would take him some time to get over here
I know but I don't think there's anything to
be concerned about the longer he has to think
about that more chance there is that he'll realize
it's ridiculous don't do that Sarah I'm not worried
I hope he does come here I told you there's something
I want to tell him I I don't want to go into
it now, but I think it may make a difference.
Help him! Whenever he could do anything to help.
Why? There's only one way to find out. Coffee
or a drink? No. Well, sit down. There's something
I want to tell you. About you and Sarah? What?
What could I tell you about that? How you feel
about her. I feel the same way about her that
I do about you. I like you both very much. What
I wanted to talk to you about was that glass
ball. Well, I'm afraid I was the one who got
you started on it, saying it was something like
a Pennsylvania Dutch witch ball. I was wrong.
There was nothing strange or mysterious about
it. It wasn't even old. It was made seven or
eight years ago by the New England Glass Company.
That's impossible. How do you know that? Because
I called a friend of mine, the man I wanted to
show it to, and he told me. The company was trying
to develop a new kind of glass, practically unbreakable
and impervious to heat. They did it by bonding
two kinds of glass together and the ball was
one of their samples. That's not true. It's a
lie. You don't just want to take Sarah away from
me, you want to take that away too. The feeling
of breaking it just gave me the freedom, the
sense of power. Well, you're not going to John
put down that poker now John John put it down
I'm not finished yet I'm not denying that something
happened to you after you bought it But I think
I can explain that too and look when you brought
it home You used to sit and stare into it didn't
you? Yes Well, don't you see what could have
happened when you stare into something clear
or shiny you can hypnotize yourself but in in
your case the The self -hypnosis took a special
form. You started identifying with it. And when
you finally broke it, you released something.
Not in the ball, but in your cell. Released what?
Lies? Everything you've been saying has been
a lie? It hasn't, John. It's been the truth,
John. Keep away from me now. I came over here
to find something out and I have you're no friend
of mine. You never were Who's that I don't know
what don't open the door trying to stop that
Whoever it is must know we're here. I've got
to all I'm warning you don't Mr. Chandler. Yeah.
Yes. I'm Osborne State Police Is mr. Farrar?
Oh Yes, yes, I see he is. Good morning, Mr. Farrar.
Your wife said she thought you might be here.
My wife? Yes, we'd stop by at your place first.
Mr. Farrar, would you come with me? Where? To
headquarters. We'd like to talk to you. About
what? Several things, but mostly about where
you were last night, about ten o 'clock. Ten
o 'clock? That was... That was what? About when
Harry Walker was murdered. How do you know that?
Because Paul called us shortly after that and
told us. You're all against me. Not just my wife
and Paul, but everyone. Plotting against me.
No one's against you, Mr. Farrar, and we're certainly
not plotting against you. We just want to talk
to you and then... No, no, no! Pilar, stop! Come
back here, Pilar! Aren't you going after him?
Oh, we'll catch up to him. I have another car
and two more men out on the road there. Just
around the curve. Why did you want to talk to
him? Well... Someone saw him leaving Harry Walker's
house last night, shortly before Mrs. Walker
came home. We just got a general description,
weren't sure who it was at first, but... Pilar,
look out! That truck! John! And you shall find,
John Farrar came to his friend's house seeking
what? The truth, he tried to tell himself. But
the truth was exactly what he did not want to
hear, not when it stripped away his illusions
and did not confirm his jealous imaginings. And
so he found what we find so often when we reject
the truth and everything else of value, death.
I'll be back shortly. Now we see through a glass
darkly, says the Bible. That was what John Farrar
was doing, seeing something in the strange glass
ball that wasn't there. But he wasn't completely
wrong. At least it wasn't all imaginary. For
as his friend Paul said, there was a thing inside.
Not inside the glass ball, but inside John himself
that never should have been tampered with. Our
cast included Ralph Bell, Rainer Rayburn, Bob
Caliban, and Leon Janney. The entire production
was under the direction of Hyman Brown. And now,
a preview. of our next tale. Here, darling. Take
a pill. Thank you, darling. And now go back to
sleep. I'll reset the alarm. You're so good to
me, George. There. There. I've set it. She was
only 28, but her face was lined. She looked old.
Old. Where was the per - vivacious Margaret who
only a few months before had been bursting with
life? Wasn't she as good or as bad as dead already?
Wasn't it a mercy to end her suffering? Suppose
I would somehow forget to give her the next pill.
This is E .G. Marshall inviting you to return
to our mystery theater for another adventure
in the macabre. Until next time. Pleasant?