Come in. Welcome. I'm E .G. Marshall. Lend me
your fears. It happens now and then that a man
will vanish without warning, disappear completely,
without leaving a trace, or a man will suddenly
lose his memory. His body remains, but his mind
has gone. What is essential in him leaves us
and we are left perplexed mystified Frustrated
all we have to go on is rumor speculation theory
and Since we cannot explain it after a while
we tend to stop thinking about it Until it happens
again To somebody else. you're back. Oh my husband
you're back What You won't even embrace me. Who
are you? Who am I? What kind of question is that?
How can you say you're my wife? We've been married
for more than 15 years. No, we haven't. What
are you trying to say? I'm trying to say that
I'm not your husband. You're not my wife. I don't
even know you. What's more, I'm not even standing
here. How can I be? I haven't even been born
yet. Our mystery drama, A Long Time to Die, was
written especially for the Mystery Theater by
Sam Dann and stars Mandel Kramer. I'll be back
shortly with Act One. His name is Alfred Stewart
Ainsley. He's 41 years old average height average
weight average looks Nothing about his appearance
to make him memorable Indeed he has never in
his life done anything to bring him notice from
beyond the circle of his immediate family His
close friends and his rather esoteric profession
His name was in the newspaper twice first when
he was born and then 30 years later when he was
married However, he is about to make up for it.
Right now, his name is on the front pages of
newspapers in every country of the civilized
world. Alfred Stewart Ainslie, quiet, unassuming,
has it in his power to shake the government of
the most important country in the world, and
perhaps alter the very course of history. Alfred,
do you want a drink of water? Water? Darling,
I know this is difficult, but... Feel okay, Al?
No, Jerry. He's not feeling okay. Can't you see
there's obviously something wrong with him? Al,
what is it? He's pale. He's sweating. Look, Al,
you're not the one who's being investigated.
If you're not feeling well, we can ask for a
recess. The chairman's just come in. The committee
stands in order. Ms. Dainsley, we will resume
with your testimony. We're still under oath.
I would like to continue along a line of questioning
initiated by Senator Selby. Would you turn, please,
to page 684. Very well. Question. Is it possible
that Congressman Carstairs could have forged
the secretary's handwriting? Answer, Mr. Ainsley.
Senator, I would have to examine more examples
of both gentlemen's manuscript. Mr. Ainsley you
were given these specimens to analyze overnight
were you not? But were you not mr. Ainsley and
you took those samples you examine them say yes
Yes, very well now are you in a better position
to answer my question Well, are you sir? you
told me you would study them and come to a conclusion.
I'll answer Adam's question. Counselor, is Mr.
Ainsley having trouble understanding the questions?
I know, sir. Mr. Ainsley, it's obvious that something
is troubling you. Yes, sir. Well, then suppose
we take a recess, give you a chance to rest.
Committee will adjourn till 345. Well, Al, do
you want to talk to me? I never saw that before.
Saw what? A man makes smoke. The way you make
smoke. Are you serious? We have pipes and we
put the tobacco in the pipe and that's how we
smoke, but you're holding something. What's that
called? All right. I can play along if that's
how you want it. This is called a cigarette.
Cigarette? You mean you never heard of it. Oh
Well, that's odd Right here in your pocket. Put
your hand inside your shirt pocket. You have
a pack of cigarettes How long do you want to
play this game it isn't a game tell me what it
is then Al You call me Al. I'm not out. You're
not Alfred Ainsley. No. All right. Who are you?
My name is Ma hot wiki Yes in your language It
would be Running Beaver. That sounds like an
Indian name. Indian. That word, Indian. Yes,
yes. In this language, in your language, it would
be Indian. You claim you're an Indian? Yes. Well.
You don't believe me? Just tell me how you got
here. I was sent to the North to scout the, uh,
you would call them the Iroquois. Scout? Yes,
to see if we should make war. War? Make war or
become allies. I was on my way home to my tribe.
I was at the place where the mist covers the
rocks. I walked into the mist and there was a
noise. What kind of noise? Loud thunder, a flash
of lightning. It was as if someone had hit me
over the head with a club. I knew nothing. Then
I was sitting in a strange room in strange clothes
and strange people were talking to me on a subject.
I know nothing about You claim to be an Indian
You talk about fighting and wars Well, that would
be before the white men came to this country.
I've never seen men like you and these others
There is one small detail that troubles me How
does it happen you speak English I don't know.
You don't know? I don't know. I was returning
to my people. They live near the banks of the
Great River. The Great River? The Potomac. As
I told you, something took place in the mist.
I awoke. Now I am in a strange place. I find
that I can speak the language, but I don't know
what anything means. Where is this place? Who
are you? I'm your doctor, your friend. My name
is Carl Stitzer. And who am I? Al Ainslie. You're
a collector of, and a dealer in, autographs.
Historical papers. You're considered one of the
top experts on handwriting. I don't know what
any of that is. What is it that you know how
to do? To track? To scout? To hunt? All right,
Al. I've gone along as far as I can. Now let
me tell you something. Your testimony can destroy
Congressman Carstairs. I don't know anything
about this, Carstairs. If you testify that in
your opinion, Carstairs forged those papers,
then not only will Carstairs be destroyed, but
the principles he stands for will be discredited.
You believe in what Carstairs stands for, Al.
I am not Al! You're torn, Al. You don't want
to examine those documents. I don't even know
what documents are. Because if they are forgeries,
you will put an end to Congressman Carstairs'
political life. And you can't bring yourself
to do that. I am a stranger in a strange land.
I need a friend. You're afraid to find out if
Carstairs is guilty. You can't face the consequences.
When a man finds himself in such an intolerable
situation, he tries to escape. You're a doctor.
In my language, that means a medicine man, a
magician. You've escaped to a remote past, to
a long -gone, buried, forgotten world. You don't
believe me. You don't believe me. Doctor, what
is it? Think, John. Think carefully. How long
have you and Al been married? Eleven years. And
how long had you known him before that? We were
kids in school together back in first grade.
Then you've known him all his life? Just about.
Has he ever been interested in Indians? Indians?
No, not that I know of. You don't have anything
in the house like, oh, handicrafts, weapons,
books? That would have to do with Indians? Nothing
at all. Does Al have a secret life? Doctor, I'm
not going to answer any more questions until
you tell me what you're driving at. Well, see
that he gets plenty of rest. No visitors, no
excitement. And please keep in constant touch
with me. Doctor, can't you tell me anything at
all? No. But I do have to ask you one more question.
Does he know how to shoot a bow and arrow? What
kind of a question is that? Just answer it. I
would say no. Mm -hmm. Well, maybe we better
find out. Morning, Jerry. Doc, I've been waiting
for you. Is Al dressed and ready? Look, Doc,
you've just got to talk to me. Why? Why? Why
don't pretend to be living in a world of your
own you read the papers you hear the news broadcasts
How has to testify yes or no? Whichever way,
it no longer matters, but he can't remain quiet.
He's not the only handwriting expert in the world.
The committee can call another. It's too late
for that now. The rumors are out, he's been bought
off, he's been scared off, and both sides are
under suspicion. I admit it's an unfortunate
situation. Now look, look, Doc, you can maybe
stall the committee another day, maybe two, maybe
even through the weekend recess, but that is
about as far as you can go. I'm doing the best
I can. Why can't he testify? I can't tell you.
You can't or you won't? Both. Now, let me tell
you what's gonna happen. The committee has the
right to assign their own doctors to examine
Al. I know. Well, how much time do I have? A
week? That's really stretching it. I'm ready
to go with you, Doctor. Al, how do you feel?
Let's go, Al. Why can't I come along? Goodbye,
Jerry. A fox has been by here. Is that so? You
can see his tracks. Well, I can't. This valley
looks familiar, and yet so strange. Where are
all the animals? There's no sign of deer or wolf.
Where are the animals? If you really are a running
beaver, you wouldn't believe what's happened.
Now, in this box is a bow. A bow? Yes. Here's
the bow, strings, The arrows? I've never seen
a bow like this one. How strong. And these arrows.
I don't know the first thing about it. Is this
mine? To keep? To be able to hunt with? Why don't
you hit that oak tree? About 60 or 70 yards to
the left. Oh, that's no shot. The tree is standing
still. A child could hit that tree. What's moving?
Is there a rabbit or a squirrel? A hawk? No,
I'm sorry. There's nothing around. All right,
then. I'll put this arrow into the center of
the trunk of that small tree on the right. That
maple. But that's almost 150 yards. It's an ordinary
shot. I'm ashamed of it. But there's nothing
else. Right in the center. Well, doctor? I don't
know, running beaver. I don't know. How do I
explain this? Someone, probably a seasoned politician,
said once, when in doubt, tell the truth. That
sounds great, in theory. But how would you like
to have to tell this kind of truth to a sharp
congressional committee? We'll have more of this
kind of truth when we return shortly with Act
Two. There's a beautiful stretch of countryside
running along the boundaries of Washington D
.C. and Maryland. Hilly, wooded, charming. It's
the site of many lovely homes. Some five hundred
years ago, it was just as hilly, just as charming,
much more wooded, wilder, of course, filled with
game, and inhabited by Indians. Stop! You're
alive! For days, the Council has been waiting
for you, Running Beaver. The Council? You're
ill. You've just returned from a long, hard,
dangerous journey. But you're the only one who
could do it. Now what bothers you, Running Beaver?
You act as if you don't even know me. I'm your
friend, your blood brother, Eagle Wing. Come,
we must go to the Council immediately. So the
council sent Running Beaver and three companions
north to the Iroquois nation to determine peace
or war. And now Running Beaver returns alone
and we ask him, where are your companions? And
shall the Iroquois be our friend or foe? Speak
to us, Running Beaver. Running Beaver, say something.
I am very tired. The important question should
not be answered by a man who needs sleep and
food. Running Beaver shall return to the council
after he has eaten and rested. Sit, my husband.
I have meat, corn. I was so frightened, so afraid
the Iroquois would kill you. Sit, rest, and eat.
Now I will tell you the news about the boy the
boy our son he's been chosen for the Wolf Society
You always wanted that your mother brought him
this bearskin rope You're not eating It's not
cooked. It's the way you like it There's something
wrong You don't look right perhaps you'd better
see the medicine man the medicine man red bear
He always liked you. There is something wrong.
This is not like you, not to be hungry, to be
so quiet. You're frightened. Why are you frightened?
You wouldn't come to me, running beaver, so I've
come to you. Leave us, white swallow. Now. What
nature of evil spirit is within you? Was there
a spell cast upon you in the Iroquois country?
I wonder if I can talk to you. You wonder? Your
father was my closest friend. I seem to understand.
How, I don't know, but I seem to understand this
language. Is that a surprise? This is your language.
I don't know what I'm doing here. I don't know
how I got here. A spell has been cast upon you.
I'm sure you won't believe, but I am not Running
Beaver. How can that be? My name is Alfred. In
your language, it would mean a wise elf or wise
council. Excellent name. I come from, well, perhaps
it would be this same land, but I live... or
shall live hundreds of years from now. I could
tell you stories of great things, of great ships
flying through the air, of enormous buildings.
I don't even know where to begin. It must be
a time of great magic. Unbelievable magic. What
a happy time that must be. I couldn't say that
it is all that happy. I find that hard to believe,
with all that magic. At any rate, I was going
to an important meeting of the committee. Never
mind what that means. I decided to walk to the
bus instead of driving my car. I'll explain to
you what they are later. There was a mist near
Rockledge. And I walked into it and something...
Something seemed to explode in my head. And when
I walked out of it, I... I was in these clothes.
I was somebody else. I was frightened. I began
to run. And suddenly someone stopped me. Yes,
Eagle Wing. He is your friend. You don't believe
a word of this. How can I? You are exactly like
Running Beaver. Your body is his, your voice
is his. I am not Running Beaver. What am I supposed
to say to the council? You will have to appear.
The tribe has been waiting for days. The life
of every man, woman and child could depend on
what you say. What am I supposed to say? The
truth. The truth is what I just told you. Can
I say that in front of the council? No. Then
what can I do? Now, rest, sleep. Sometimes the
spirits speak to us in dreams. I'll need more
than a dream to get myself out of this. Running
Beaver, my husband, are you awake? What a dream.
Joan, you'll never imagine. Oh no, I'm still
asleep. Running Beaver, can you eat something
now? Cold. Here, wear this robe. Your mother
made it. My mother? Please, can't you tell me
what's wrong? Ronnie Beaver! May I come in? Who's
that? Your oldest friend. Do you mean you don't
know Eagle Wing's voice anymore? Ronnie Beaver!
Ronnie Beaver, you must come to the council at
once! But he's not well. I know, I know he's
not well, but there's trouble. Trouble? There's
talk all over the village. Now, what happened
to the three men who went with you to the Iroquois?
Did you kill them? Kill them? How could he kill
them? They were all his friends. What passed
between you and the Iroquois chiefs? Running
Beaver, you must tell him. I don't know. I don't
know. I tell you, all of you gathered here. I
don't know. Running Beaver, in war and peace,
you've been first among us. We sent you as our
ambassador to the Iroquois. We entrusted you
with the lives of three of our bravest young
men. Where are they? Their families have a right
to know. Speak. Chief, I will speak for him.
No one can speak for a man before the council.
Not even you, Red Bear. Running Beaver is ill.
What kind of illness? He has lost his memory.
A convenient loss of memory. Quiet! Where is
my son? Where has he gone? I can't see him anymore.
Quiet! He has lost his memory? Yes. Can you cure
him, Red Bear? I can try. You have six days.
At the end of that time, Running Beaver will
talk to the council or else submit to justice.
Why did we come out here? I'm so cold. Where
is your knife running beaver? Knife running beaver
always carries a knife. Well, I didn't think
give him your knife eagle wing. Why do I want
a knife? Eagle wing attack him attack, but everyone
knows running beaver can't be beaten with a knife.
Let's make sure I'll only do it if he keeps his
knife in a chief now, you know how excited he
gets even when we fight in fun attack him eagle
wing Have your knife at the ready for running
beaver. Look, are you ready running beaver now?
What did you do that for Did I catch you off
guard I am trying to tell you people I am not
Eagle Wing go back to the village I do if I tell
you I was never able to do go back to the village
There is magic. Yes. Yes. I'm going I'm going
What did I just see You saw a man knock me down.
You don't know how to fight with a knife anymore.
When did I ever know how to fight with a knife?
I can't believe it. I was just a quiet kid when
I was in school. And I suppose you can't shoot
with the bow. No. Or throw the lance. I'm trying
to tell you I am not your running beaver. Then
we have magic. Call it what you want. But we
have trouble. As Chief of this Council, I call
upon Running Beaver to speak. Chief! Chief Star
Trekker! I haven't called on you, Red Bear. I
called upon Running Beaver. But Chief! The Council
has given you six days, Red Bear, six days to
cure Running Beaver. Let me talk. Gentlemen,
I don't know how to make you understand. Be quiet!
No, no, no! Let him talk. But he's mad! Let us
judge! I am not who you think I am! I am not...
running beaver I told you he was mad you say
you are not running beaver no I am not I don't
know how to convince you because I don't even
know how it happened myself white swallow step
forward yes is this man your husband yes she
really does silence why do you deny are you tired
Is there another woman? Oh, good Lord. You could
have been living 500 years from now. You women
never change. I thought you loved me. All of
you, listen to me, please. I know it's hard to
believe, but I am not running beaver. Who are
you then? I am a man from a time... I don't know,
and it must be hundreds of years from now. Silence!
Silence! A spirit has captured him. This is the
council. We'll have no disorder here. Running
Beaver, have you anything more to say? I have
plenty more to say, but I don't know how to say
it. The Council will retire. We shall return
with our decision. Red Bear, what are they going
to do with me? Well... It's not good, is it?
It will depend. Depend on what? Star tracker
is a devout believer in magic. I Think he believes
you well, then it can't be bad, but the people
are angry and three young men are missing Probably
dead The people feel it's your fault, but probably
the council will declare that you have been possessed
by an evil spirit It's all nonsense. I'm sure
you know what you think But you asked me what
I think What will happen? The evil spirit will
have to be driven out of you. How? Or shouldn't
I ask? By fire, by lance, by arrows. You mean
they'll kill me? That's how we drive out the
evil spirit. Is there anything I can do, Red
Bear? I don't know, but I'll try to think. Stand
before the council. You have been ordered to
report. You refuse. I tried to tell you. Therefore,
the council has decided to drive the evil spirit
out of you. No! Tell them, Running Beaver, tell
them! We must have silence. Tonight, Running
Beaver, the council will drive the spirit from
you. Wait! He has the right to ask for judgment
by combat. What are you saying? Must I remind
the council of the law? You've heard the challenge.
Who will fight Running Beaver? Your reputation
has just saved you. No one will dare to meet
you. No one. No one will accept the challenge.
Are we a tribe of trembling women? Must I, at
my age, save the honor of the people? I'll fight
him, Eagle Wing. You, you're his best friend
now longer. After all... He denies he's running
beaver, hasn't he? The council accepts the offer
of eagle wing. May the one who is right win.
Clear a space. Wait! The law says each contestant
must fast and pray for three days. No! No! Silence!
We shall obey the law. We shall meet again in
three days. What did you get me into? I got you
three days. What good will it do me? You could
learn to fight with a knife. Well, you've been
a quiet, unassuming handwriting analyst all your
life. You've never so much as swatted a fly in
anger. Now, suddenly... You have to fight to
the death with knives, no less. And how is the
other fellow doing? The one who has to face the
Congressional Committee? We'll see how it all
comes out when we return shortly with Act 3.
Just as telephone wires can cross when they cover
great distance, so can lives when they cover
great spans of time. Two such lives have been
disrupted. Running Beaver, an Indian who lived
500 years ago, and Alfred Stewart Ainsley, who
is a contemporary of ours. Alfred Ainsley is
now talking to his lawyer. That is, his lawyer
thinks it's Alfred Ainsley. We know it's Running
Beaver. Al, level with me. Is this a stall? I
keep telling you I don't know what you're talking
about. I can't help it. I talk to the reporters.
I talk to the committee people. Nobody understands
you. You keep saying you're a friend of Al Ainslie.
Yes, Al. We've been friends since college. Then
you should know that I am not Al Ainslie. My
name is Running Beaver. I'm an Indian. I'd lived
about 500 years ago. I better get Doc Stitzer
back here. Jerry, what are you doing here? I
ordered complete rest for Al. You know what Al
just told me, Doctor. He thinks he's an Indian.
It happens to be true. It happens to be... Oh,
I see. Yeah, I think I see. What do you think
you see, Jerry? They got to you too, Doc. Who
got to me? I don't know! But somebody doesn't
want Al to testify. He's been bought off and
so have you. Jerry, I resent that. The two of
you concocted this ridiculous... It happens to
be true. Do you think that you can sell this
to Senator Adams, to the committee, to the news
media? I only tell you what I perceive as the
truth. Oh, they'll skin you alive. What is he
saying, Doctor? Something very unpleasant. That's
not the worst. You're gonna be finished, Al.
Your career will be ruined. You won't have an
ounce of credibility left. Jerry, enough for
now. No, it's not enough. They'll get you on
contempt. They can even pull obstruction of justice,
conspiracy. Al, do you realize you can go to
jail? Jerry, he doesn't realize anything of the
sort. But it should be obvious to him. It would
be, if he were Al Ainslie. Doc, are you crazy
too? Jerry, Jerry, this is no time for anyone
to lose his head. Okay, okay, okay, okay. Let's
be calm. Let's be reasonable. How does a thing
like this happen? There's no answer. I've done
some research, consulted. And the best I can
come up with is... Look, at the speed of light,
there's no regular sequence of time. The past,
the present, the future, everything is mixed
and jumbled up. Everything becomes a storm of
pure energy. Doc, what can I do to convince you
guys? Sometimes, in rare cases, our thoughts,
our... Ideas achieve such intensity that they
too become a form of energy and carry our minds
into this this raging storm and Minds can be
mixed up and thrown from one body into another.
I can't believe I'm sitting here listening Whatever
the reason he's not Al Ainsley. I'll get a hold
of yourself Jerry Now you can't excite him anymore.
I'll throw you out of here. You may not have
to throw me out. I want to leave Now, Al, in
exactly three days, you'll have to appear before
that committee. If you value your reputation
and your freedom, please think up a better story.
Or best of all, tell the truth. Are you awake,
Al? I brought you some tea. This is the first
chance I've had to talk with you. Darling, what
is it? Are you my wife? I mean, his wife. What
are you saying? I'm not your husband. Don't say
that. It's true. I know you, darling. I've known
you all my life. Who knows you better than I
do? I am not Al Ainslie. There's someone else,
isn't there? Another woman. Please. I knew you
were timid, but I didn't think you'd go this
far. I have a wife. Her name is White Swallow,
and we have a son. Al, I don't know what your
game is, but you won't get away with it. Gentlemen,
this visit of yours is most unusual. I know it
is, Senator Adams. I have no right to conduct
committee business privately. Senator, we just
wanted to acquaint you with certain facts. And?
Well, please just listen. No matter what you
hear, just listen. Then use your own judgment.
Go ahead, Al. Senator, I am not Alfred Stuart
Ainslie. You're not? I am Running Bear. I am
a Potomac Indian. This is most unusual. Dr. Stitzer
and I, we believe that I lived 500 years ago.
Somehow I have occupied the body of Mr. Ainsley.
But though I have his body, I have none of his
skills. And? And that's all. And this is what
you want me to believe, hm? It's the truth, Senator.
You'll be at the committee hearings on Monday
morning. Senator, didn't you hear... Doctor,
I don't believe a word of it. It's no use. It's
no use. Watch the knife. Watch it constantly.
Don't look at your opponent's eyes. Oh, Red Bear,
I'll never learn. You may not be running Beaver,
but you have his great body, his strength, his
agility. I'll tell you what I don't have, his
desire to fight. Are you a coward? No, I just
don't believe in violence. Strange. I can't kill
anybody. The council has already decided, Red
Bear. But this will be murder, Chief. He isn't
running Beaver. He does not know how to fight.
A man who doesn't know how to fight? Impossible.
He is not one of us. He's from another time.
Well, how does he happen to be here, then? There
is a place, Chief, where the soul that belongs
to each man is put into his body. Yes, we know
that. It is the sacred, haunted place where the
mist meets the rocks. There's always thunder
there. Evil, malicious spirits have an opportunity
to play tricks. I understand. I even believe.
But the council has spoken. He does not know
how to fight. He will have to learn. Keep the
knife low and moving. It's no use. I just can't
kill anybody. Even to save your own life? Suppose
I kill Eagle Wing tomorrow, then what? At least
you'll be alive. To do what? Tell about my life
here in an alien place doing things that I hate?
Fighting, hunting, killing? No, I'm better off
dead! You'll have to testify before the committee.
I can't. You'll be ruined. Well, if that's the
only way... Relax. Think. Don't fight against
Alfred Ainslie. Accept him. Let his thoughts
flow into your brain. Let his knowledge come
to you. Why? So you can get past the committee.
And then? What do you mean, then? Then what will
I do? Live here as Al Ainsley, away from my wife,
my son, my friends, my people? Never to hunt,
never to fight? To exist in this strange and
terrible world, a place I can neither understand
nor accept? No. Rather let me be disgraced. Why
do you want to be disgraced? So I can die of
shame. Wake up, running beaver. Wake up. It's
time to start out for the fighting ground. So
early? You still refuse to fight him as running
beaver would? Yes, I refuse. Why? I told you.
I want to die. I know why you would want to die
in this life. But I don't understand why you
would want to die in your other life. What are
you saying? What troubled you? You are a man
of trouble. I see that. When you walked into
the mist, were you troubled? How did you know?
I am only guessing. In your other life, did you
also want to die? I'm not sure. Perhaps... Perhaps
I did want to. Why? Because... Because I would
have to say something that would... That... How
you couldn't understand it. That would have to
be something you hate? Yes. Yes, I would have
to ruin a man that I had always respected. Did
he... Does he deserve to be ruined? Yes, because
he broke faith. And you did not have the courage
to do your duty? I... In other words, you are
an even greater coward than I thought. Maybe.
Would you rather die under Eagle Wing's knife,
or... Or what? Go back. Do your part as a man.
Face your responsibility. Go back? Testify against?
Isn't that what must be done? Isn't that what
truth and justice demand? Yes. Then you'll go
back. But how? How can I go back? Are you sure
you want to? Yes. You'll do what's required?
Yes. You believe it with all your heart? Yes.
Yes, I believe it. Now I believe it. Then come
with me. Where? To the place of mist. The sacred
place where you became Running Beaver. Time to
be leaving for the committee meeting. I'm ready.
I decided to go with you. Let's get it over with.
Tell me, something bothers me. It bothered me
that first day when I thought that you had willed
yourself into amnesia. I can see how Al Ainslie
could have found life intolerable. But you're
not Al Ainslie. No. Therefore my diagnosis was
wrong. I don't think I understand. Why was life
also intolerable for... Running beaver. Why were
you trying to escape as running beaver? To escape?
What was tormenting you? How did you know? Did
I guess right? Yes. From what were you trying
to escape? I had gone with three others to the
Iroquois as an ambassador. The Iroquois promised
peace. I knew it was a lie. My three friends
were bribed. On the way home, they plotted to
kill me. I was too smart, too strong. I killed
them instead. If I told this to the council,
I would make enemies. I was afraid. I see. Would
you rather die like a man among your own people,
if indeed you must die at all? Or would you rather
die of shame here among strangers? I am wiser
now, but it's too late. It's too late for me.
I can't go back. Are you willing to face the
Council? Face them? Defy them? Fight them? Let's
go back to this place where the mist covers the
rocks. And when we reach it, try, try to go back.
All the way back home again. The committee will
stand in order. Mr. Ainsley, are you finally
prepared to report your findings? Yes, Mr. Chairman.
I've studied all the relevant materials, and
I am absolutely convinced I will stake my professional
reputation on the fact that the signature is
forged. I say this to the council. The tribe
took bribes from the enemy. I alone refused.
They tried to kill me. I killed them instead.
I will answer for this deed with my life. If
any man here thinks he can take it. At a certain
speed, at a certain intensity, At a certain burning
level of anxiety or desire, time, space, and
spirit can be twisted out of shape or sequence.
That's how we might explain it today. On the
other hand, there are evil and mischievous spirits
who delight in creating misery and confusion.
That would be yesterday's explanation. Choose
one or the other. Or... Supply your own. I'll
be back shortly. And what's the moral of our
little tale? Simply this. Whenever you're desperate
for a means of escape from a problem, don't try
too hard for an easy way out. You might just
be unlucky enough to find it. Our cast included
Mando Kramer, Grace Matthews, Arnold Moss, Nat
Poland, and Mason Adams. The entire production
was under the direction of Hyman Brown. This
is E .G. Marshall inviting you to return to our
mystery theater for another adventure in the
macabre. Until next time, pleasant dreams.