WEBVTT 00:00:03.080 --> 00:00:10.179 Countdown for blastoff. X minus 5, 4, 3, 2, X 00:00:10.179 --> 00:00:39.460 minus 1, fire. From the far horizons of the unknown 00:00:39.460 --> 00:00:42.119 come transcribed tales of new dimensions in time 00:00:42.119 --> 00:00:45.920 and space. These are stories of the future, adventures 00:00:45.920 --> 00:00:48.200 in which you'll live in a million could -be years 00:00:48.200 --> 00:00:51.380 on a thousand maybe worlds. The National Broadcasting 00:00:51.380 --> 00:00:53.320 Company, in cooperation with Street & Smith, 00:00:53.460 --> 00:00:55.880 publishers of astounding science fiction, presents 00:00:55.880 --> 00:01:13.859 X minus 1. Tonight, a Ray Bradbury story, Marionettes 00:01:13.859 --> 00:01:26.400 Incorporated. By the year 1990, we should see 00:01:26.400 --> 00:01:29.560 many amazing technological advances. And yet, 00:01:29.579 --> 00:01:31.659 in many ways, life will be very much the same. 00:01:32.060 --> 00:01:34.500 A husband will stop off at a bar on his way home 00:01:34.500 --> 00:01:36.980 and perhaps unburden himself a little to a friendly 00:01:36.980 --> 00:01:42.579 bartender. That's good. Almost feel as if I could 00:01:42.579 --> 00:01:45.019 go home and face Nettie now. Wife trouble, Mr. 00:01:45.159 --> 00:01:48.340 Smith? Wife trouble, Sam. If only she'd relax 00:01:48.340 --> 00:01:51.299 a little bit. Look, you see this bruise on my 00:01:51.299 --> 00:01:55.379 lip? She kisses me. For an hour every night when 00:01:55.379 --> 00:01:57.920 I come home. Can you do anything for it? Well, 00:01:57.920 --> 00:02:02.599 I try, Sam. He can't figure them out. Well, I 00:02:02.599 --> 00:02:04.359 guess I'll go home and feed myself to the lioness. 00:02:04.819 --> 00:02:06.980 I tell you, Sam, when Nettie gets finished demonstrating 00:02:06.980 --> 00:02:09.960 how much she's missed me... I feel like a man 00:02:09.960 --> 00:02:11.860 who's been stuffed into an electronic washing 00:02:11.860 --> 00:02:15.060 machine with the dial set at rinse dry. How much 00:02:15.060 --> 00:02:17.180 do I owe you? Well, if it isn't Henry Smith. 00:02:17.580 --> 00:02:22.259 Huh? Breiling! Well, as I live and breathe. Walter 00:02:22.259 --> 00:02:24.520 Breiling. What are you doing here? Having the 00:02:24.520 --> 00:02:27.080 night out. Say, does Gloria know about this? 00:02:27.759 --> 00:02:30.699 Things have changed, Henry. I thought she kept 00:02:30.699 --> 00:02:32.620 you chained to the bedpost most of the time. 00:02:32.780 --> 00:02:36.020 Not anymore, Henry. Not anymore. Say, you aren't 00:02:36.020 --> 00:02:38.610 divorced, are you? Don't know. Glory's home. 00:02:39.669 --> 00:02:41.650 What did you do? Put sleeping powder in her coffee? 00:02:41.930 --> 00:02:44.789 Oh, goodness, no. That would be highly unethical. 00:02:45.210 --> 00:02:47.030 Well, now, look, I can't believe you just walked 00:02:47.030 --> 00:02:49.389 out on her. Ten years of marriage, Henry, and 00:02:49.389 --> 00:02:52.729 I never had a night to myself. But it will be 00:02:52.729 --> 00:02:54.509 different from now on. By the way, what time 00:02:54.509 --> 00:02:58.430 is it? Uh, ten o 'clock. I guess I'd better be 00:02:58.430 --> 00:03:02.409 going. Scared? Don't want to crowd my luck. Although, 00:03:02.789 --> 00:03:05.310 really, there's nothing to worry about. Well, 00:03:05.330 --> 00:03:06.969 I'd sure like to know how you do it, Walden. 00:03:08.110 --> 00:03:10.530 Would you really? Yes, I would. All right, Henry, 00:03:10.650 --> 00:03:12.330 since you've always been a friend of mine, I'll 00:03:12.330 --> 00:03:14.610 let you in on it. Come on, my car's outside. 00:03:14.750 --> 00:03:16.590 I'll drive you home and let you see how it's 00:03:16.590 --> 00:03:18.490 done. Well, now, that's nice of you, Walter. 00:03:18.710 --> 00:03:21.569 Oh, no, not at all. We fellas have to stick together. 00:03:36.680 --> 00:03:39.020 I don't suppose you know how Gloria and I came 00:03:39.020 --> 00:03:42.240 to be married in the first place. No, I don't. 00:03:42.439 --> 00:03:44.979 One evening, she threatened to tear off her clothing 00:03:44.979 --> 00:03:47.240 and call the police unless I married her. No. 00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:51.580 Oh, yeah. Well, that's a bit extreme, isn't it? 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:54.860 Gloria's a nervous girl. Oh. I bet you've had 00:03:54.860 --> 00:03:56.919 a pretty wretched time of it, huh? Yeah, yeah. 00:03:57.199 --> 00:03:59.759 Didn't take long for me to become the laughingstock 00:03:59.759 --> 00:04:02.759 of the neighborhood. Henpecked Brayling, they 00:04:02.759 --> 00:04:05.789 used to call me. I know that. But, uh... Things 00:04:05.789 --> 00:04:11.050 are changing now. See this? What's this? A single 00:04:11.050 --> 00:04:14.289 ticket to Rio on the morning rocket. I have hotel 00:04:14.289 --> 00:04:16.730 reservations there for a month. A whole month, 00:04:16.949 --> 00:04:19.670 Henry, to have a fling. Well, won't Gloria make 00:04:19.670 --> 00:04:22.329 trouble over there? Well, that's the amazing 00:04:22.329 --> 00:04:25.250 part of it, Henry. She won't even know that I'm 00:04:25.250 --> 00:04:27.889 gone. And I'll be back in a month and knowing 00:04:27.889 --> 00:04:32.769 the wiser. You don't believe it, do you? Well, 00:04:32.769 --> 00:04:35.509 frankly, no. Just how are you going to swing 00:04:35.509 --> 00:04:38.970 it, Walter? That's the secret, Henry. I tell 00:04:38.970 --> 00:04:41.829 you, it is the most wonderful thing ever invented. 00:04:41.970 --> 00:04:45.750 Worth every cent I paid for it. Well, what is 00:04:45.750 --> 00:04:49.589 it? I'm going to show you. Now, here's my house. 00:04:50.649 --> 00:04:59.569 You notice the lights are all out? Uh -huh. Shh, 00:04:59.769 --> 00:05:03.529 shh, shh. Now, we'll wait here on the front porch. 00:05:04.430 --> 00:05:07.129 Say, Walter, you haven't gone off your rocker, 00:05:07.129 --> 00:05:11.529 have you? Shh, shh, shh. Let me see. Oh, I meow 00:05:11.529 --> 00:05:19.649 twice. That's it. Meow. Meow. Now watch the window 00:05:19.649 --> 00:05:24.829 in my bedroom. It looks as if somebody's... Hey, 00:05:25.050 --> 00:05:29.610 there's a man up there. He's looking loud. Good, 00:05:29.790 --> 00:05:33.319 he sees me. Now he'll be down directly. Oh, now 00:05:33.319 --> 00:05:35.040 look, isn't this a bit embarrassing for you, 00:05:35.060 --> 00:05:38.420 Walter? No, no, not at all. You'll find out. 00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:44.480 Here he comes. Hello, B2. Good evening, Mr. Braley. 00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:47.500 Either I'm going out of my mind or there are 00:05:47.500 --> 00:05:49.379 two of you. You never told me you had a twin 00:05:49.379 --> 00:05:53.240 brother. I don't. Well, if this fellow were in 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:54.959 his pajamas, I couldn't tell you apart. Well, 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:58.199 that's the secret, Henry. Uh, everything go all 00:05:58.199 --> 00:06:02.800 right, B -2? Uh, just fine, Mr. Braley. I suppose 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:05.759 my wife was in her usual good form this evening? 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:08.079 Well, as a matter of fact, we spent the evening 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:12.019 playing gin. No screaming, shouting, accusations? 00:06:12.660 --> 00:06:17.040 Uh, no, sir. It was a very quiet evening. Well, 00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:21.060 but this is even better than I thought. Marionette's 00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:24.920 incorporated aims to satisfy, sir. Did he say... 00:06:25.129 --> 00:06:28.189 Marionettes Incorporated? That's right, and now 00:06:28.189 --> 00:06:31.449 look him over. Isn't he excellently fashioned? 00:06:32.009 --> 00:06:35.389 You wouldn't dream he was a robot, a marionette. 00:06:35.889 --> 00:06:40.290 No, I don't believe it. Well, it's against the 00:06:40.290 --> 00:06:42.490 law, of course, to duplicate a human like this, 00:06:42.550 --> 00:06:45.889 but it's well worth the opportunity. I still 00:06:45.889 --> 00:06:47.750 don't believe it. You can't tell him from a human. 00:06:47.889 --> 00:06:50.689 Well, only one way. Put your ear next to his 00:06:50.689 --> 00:06:56.439 chest. Huh? That's it. Now listen. It's machinery. 00:06:58.379 --> 00:06:59.959 Walter, old man, how long has this been going 00:06:59.959 --> 00:07:02.459 on? Well, I've had him a month. I keep him in 00:07:02.459 --> 00:07:05.420 the cellar in my toolbox. And tonight I told 00:07:05.420 --> 00:07:08.199 Gloria that I'd like to be excused for five minutes 00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:12.379 to run down to the cigar store. She agreed. I 00:07:12.379 --> 00:07:14.680 went down to the cellar, took out Brayling, too, 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:17.100 and sent him back upstairs to sit with my wife 00:07:17.100 --> 00:07:21.060 till I got home. That's miraculous. Of course, 00:07:21.060 --> 00:07:23.860 Walter, it, uh... Well, it doesn't seem quite 00:07:23.860 --> 00:07:27.300 ethical somehow. Oh! Nonsense. Highly ethical. 00:07:28.019 --> 00:07:30.899 I've been home all evening. I shall be home with 00:07:30.899 --> 00:07:33.379 her for the next month. In the meantime, another 00:07:33.379 --> 00:07:36.040 gentleman named Walter Brayling will be in Rio 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:39.839 having the time of his life. Can he walk around 00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:42.259 without fuel for a month? He refuels himself. 00:07:43.139 --> 00:07:45.980 He's built to do everything. Eat, drink, sleep. 00:07:46.700 --> 00:07:48.779 you'll take good care of my wife, won't you, 00:07:48.819 --> 00:07:51.639 B2? Well, your wife is rather nice. I've grown 00:07:51.639 --> 00:07:55.980 quite fond of her. You see? Yeah, Walter, old 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:59.779 man, how long has this Marionette's Incorporated 00:07:59.779 --> 00:08:02.480 Outfit been in business? Secretly for two years 00:08:02.480 --> 00:08:07.759 now. Why? Well, I wonder, I suppose there's a 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:10.199 possibility that I might get in touch with him. 00:08:10.540 --> 00:08:14.379 You? But your Nettie is madly in love with you. 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:17.410 Well, I know that, but even so... Just a little 00:08:17.410 --> 00:08:19.769 respite, you know, a night or two once a month, 00:08:19.810 --> 00:08:23.529 huh? But she loves you dearly. So much she can't 00:08:23.529 --> 00:08:26.009 bear me to leave her for half an hour. You know 00:08:26.009 --> 00:08:28.230 that lately she's taken to calling me up at work 00:08:28.230 --> 00:08:32.250 10 or 12 times a day, talking baby talk? Your 00:08:32.250 --> 00:08:35.149 Nettie? My Nettie. So now what do you say, old 00:08:35.149 --> 00:08:37.769 man? As a favor to an old buddy, huh? A fellow 00:08:37.769 --> 00:08:40.470 lodge member? Well, I could put you in touch 00:08:40.470 --> 00:08:42.029 with the man who makes them. Because you'd be 00:08:42.029 --> 00:08:43.889 pledged to secrecy once you learned where he's 00:08:43.889 --> 00:08:46.110 located. Oh, naturally, naturally. Very well, 00:08:46.190 --> 00:08:51.450 then. Here's his card. Marionettes Incorporated. 00:08:52.129 --> 00:08:57.289 W. Zeig, proprietor and owner. New humanoid plastic 00:08:57.289 --> 00:09:00.269 1990 models guaranteed against wear. Our motto, 00:09:00.409 --> 00:09:03.850 no strings attached. Address, the Jumbo Shop, 00:09:04.029 --> 00:09:07.549 43 South Wesley Drive. Mr. Zeig will take care 00:09:07.549 --> 00:09:10.049 of you. He's a charming fellow. Real craftsman. 00:09:10.110 --> 00:09:11.409 Say, that's wonderful, Walt. I'll see him first 00:09:11.409 --> 00:09:13.889 thing tomorrow. Well, I'd better be getting home 00:09:13.889 --> 00:09:17.250 now. Nettie is probably splitting a gasket. Well, 00:09:17.269 --> 00:09:19.210 see you around, old man, after I get back from 00:09:19.210 --> 00:09:22.190 Rio. Oh, while I'm gone, you might drop around 00:09:22.190 --> 00:09:25.450 regularly, just as you always have. Treat Brayling, 00:09:25.450 --> 00:09:28.049 too, here, as if he were me. Otherwise, Gloria 00:09:28.049 --> 00:09:29.950 might be suspicious. Yes, fine, I'll do that. 00:09:30.590 --> 00:09:35.350 Oh, before I go, these marionettes, they're safe, 00:09:35.490 --> 00:09:38.590 aren't they? Oh, absolutely. Tell him, Beto. 00:09:38.889 --> 00:09:43.279 Oh, we're guaranteed. Well, that's fine. Well, 00:09:43.320 --> 00:09:46.919 good night, Walter. Good night, B -2. Good night, 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:53.500 Mr. Smith. Good night, Henry. Well, I'm glad 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:55.799 someone else will have a chance at a little happiness 00:09:55.799 --> 00:09:59.019 and freedom. All right, Brailing 2, it's back 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:01.480 into the cellar box for you. Come on, down the 00:10:01.480 --> 00:10:12.100 steps. That's it. It's very damp down here, Mr. 00:10:12.179 --> 00:10:15.940 Brayling. Bad plumbing. Here we are. Brayling. 00:10:16.059 --> 00:10:19.480 Yeah? Before you put me back into the toolbox, 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:23.240 could we have a word? Certainly, old man. Now, 00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:25.860 this toolbox. Yes, what about it? Well, I don't 00:10:25.860 --> 00:10:28.740 like it, Mr. Brayling. Why not? Well, it's cramped. 00:10:29.179 --> 00:10:32.169 Oh. Well, I'll try to fix up something more comfortable 00:10:32.169 --> 00:10:34.809 when I get back from Rio. All right, now, before 00:10:34.809 --> 00:10:37.269 Gloria gets worried back into the... Marionettes 00:10:37.269 --> 00:10:40.529 are made to move, not keep still. Now, how would 00:10:40.529 --> 00:10:43.590 you like to lie in a stuffy old box most of the 00:10:43.590 --> 00:10:46.269 time? Well, I didn't realize you fellas were 00:10:46.269 --> 00:10:47.950 that sensitive. Well, you wouldn't like it at 00:10:47.950 --> 00:10:50.669 all. I keep running. There's no way to shut me 00:10:50.669 --> 00:10:54.059 off. I have my feelings, you know. Well, a day 00:10:54.059 --> 00:10:56.440 after tomorrow, I'll be off to Rio, and you won't 00:10:56.440 --> 00:10:58.340 have to stay in the box for a whole month. You 00:10:58.340 --> 00:11:00.700 can move upstairs. But when you come back from 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:06.059 Rio, I'll go back into the box. Mr. Zeig didn't 00:11:06.059 --> 00:11:08.120 tell me at Marionettes Incorporated that it was 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:10.720 possible to get a difficult specimen. Oh, well, 00:11:10.840 --> 00:11:14.240 there's a lot he doesn't know about us. Look, 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:15.960 look, look here, B2. This has gone far enough. 00:11:16.059 --> 00:11:17.720 I'll never get to real. Come on, come on now, 00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:20.419 into the box. And another thing. Well? Your wife. 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:22.519 Yes, what about my wife? I've grown quite fond 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:24.259 of her. I'm glad that you enjoy your employment. 00:11:24.399 --> 00:11:26.580 You'll have the whole month. I'm afraid you don't 00:11:26.580 --> 00:11:29.039 quite understand, Braylon. I've fallen in love 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:31.960 with her. Yes, well, all right. You what? Well, 00:11:31.980 --> 00:11:35.059 you see, you just don't appreciate it. Maybe 00:11:35.059 --> 00:11:37.820 if you hadn't acted so meek and apologetic about 00:11:37.820 --> 00:11:40.360 everything, well, she'd have a little more respect 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:43.350 for you as a man. You aren't supposed to behave 00:11:43.350 --> 00:11:45.470 like this, you know. I think I could be very 00:11:45.470 --> 00:11:47.870 happy if I were married to Gloria. Aren't you 00:11:47.870 --> 00:11:51.250 forgetting that you are nothing but a big, overgrown 00:11:51.250 --> 00:11:53.610 puppet? Now, careful, Brayling. I'm sensitive. 00:11:53.669 --> 00:11:58.190 I'm sorry. Look, you wouldn't mind waiting here 00:11:58.190 --> 00:12:00.049 a moment, would you? I have to go upstairs and 00:12:00.049 --> 00:12:02.590 make a phone call. To whom? Nobody important. 00:12:02.789 --> 00:12:07.490 I have to call Henry Smith about something. You're 00:12:07.490 --> 00:12:09.789 lying. Now, you're going to call Marionettes 00:12:09.789 --> 00:12:12.929 Incorporated and tell Mr. Tsai to come and get 00:12:12.929 --> 00:12:17.049 me. No, really, I'm not. I was... B -2, stay 00:12:17.049 --> 00:12:19.029 away. Now, stand where you are, Brayley. No, 00:12:19.029 --> 00:12:20.990 B -2, take your hand off my arm. No, Brayley. 00:12:21.129 --> 00:12:23.490 What are you going to do? Nothing much. I'm just 00:12:23.490 --> 00:12:26.950 going to put you in a toolbox, lock it, and lose 00:12:26.950 --> 00:12:29.610 the key. Then I'll buy another ticket to Rio, 00:12:29.690 --> 00:12:33.309 and Gloria and I can have a wonderful vacation. 00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:36.720 You're insane. Oh, am I? Now, wait a minute. 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:39.340 Hold on, B2. Don't, don't, don't be rash. Now, 00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:41.039 let's talk this over. Goodbye, Braylon. Now, 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:43.980 B2, stop it. Don't, don't. Let's, let go. Into 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:52.860 the box, Braylon. There. Let me out. Let me out. 00:12:54.700 --> 00:13:01.799 Walter? Walter? Yes, Gloria? Well, nothing, lover. 00:13:01.940 --> 00:13:04.539 The pipes were knocking, and I'm just making 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:06.519 sure the boiler hasn't exploded. Now, you go 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:09.220 to bed, and I'll be up soon. Hurry, won't you? 00:13:09.440 --> 00:13:12.759 We had such a nice evening. I'm lonesome for 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:16.580 you. You won't ever be lonesome again, darling. 00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:31.090 Never again. Good morning, Nettie. Good morning, 00:13:31.210 --> 00:13:34.929 darling. How are you? Have a nice time last night? 00:13:35.309 --> 00:13:40.210 I missed you so. Is breakfast ready? Well, aren't 00:13:40.210 --> 00:13:44.450 you going to kiss me good morning? Oh, yes, I 00:13:44.450 --> 00:13:53.049 suppose so. You're so wonderful, Henry. I guess 00:13:53.049 --> 00:13:56.909 I'm the luckiest person in the world. Now, here's 00:13:56.909 --> 00:13:59.549 your coffee. How would you like your eggs? Oh, 00:13:59.610 --> 00:14:02.669 any way at all. But I want to please you. Look, 00:14:02.690 --> 00:14:05.090 skip the eggs this morning. But you have to eat 00:14:05.090 --> 00:14:08.710 to keep well, darling. I'm very healthy. I have 00:14:08.710 --> 00:14:11.649 an early business appointment this morning. Oh? 00:14:11.830 --> 00:14:15.149 Yes, it's a friend of Walter Brayling's. I met 00:14:15.149 --> 00:14:19.029 Walter last night. Oh. Yes. So I'd better be 00:14:19.029 --> 00:14:22.950 off. Now, Nettie, don't look as if I were on 00:14:22.950 --> 00:14:26.419 my way to Rio or something. Well, it's... It's 00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:29.940 just that I miss you so. I want to be with you 00:14:29.940 --> 00:14:32.480 all the time. Oh, dear, do I have to go through 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:35.600 this every morning? I'll be back at supper. Now, 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:39.879 there's no need to cry now, is there? No, darling. 00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:43.279 You... you aren't displeased with me, are you? 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:45.899 I try so hard to do everything just as I think 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:48.820 you'll like it. I know, I know. I'm not displeased. 00:14:48.940 --> 00:14:54.590 Now, goodbye, dear. Henry. Yes? You forgot to 00:14:54.590 --> 00:15:07.129 kiss me goodbye. No strings attached, no strings 00:15:07.129 --> 00:15:09.429 attached. A very nice puppet with no strings 00:15:09.429 --> 00:15:15.450 attached. Let's see now. Jumble Shop. 43 South 00:15:15.450 --> 00:15:19.149 Wesley. Well, that should be about... Ah, here 00:15:19.149 --> 00:15:28.320 it is. Yes? Mr. Zeig? Yes? Walter Brayling recommended 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:33.460 me. Enter. Thank you. Your name? Henry Smith, 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:37.759 55 Evergreen Place. And what can we do for you, 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:41.419 Mr. Smith? Well, Mr. Brayling showed me his marionette 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:45.559 last night. I was intrigued with the idea. Not 00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:48.139 that my wife is anything like that female meat 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:49.539 grinder he's married to, you understand, but, 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:53.129 well, I'm a man who... Enjoys an occasional evening 00:15:53.129 --> 00:15:55.210 with the boys, you know, without complications. 00:15:55.809 --> 00:15:58.850 Naturally. Yes, so I thought... That I could 00:15:58.850 --> 00:16:03.570 duplicate you? Exactly. Oh, I think it might 00:16:03.570 --> 00:16:07.610 be a ring. Uh -huh. Oh, yes. How much? $9 ,000. 00:16:08.250 --> 00:16:11.350 $9 ,000? Oh, I have an inferior model at 75. 00:16:11.529 --> 00:16:13.929 No, no, no, no, no. If I go through with this, 00:16:14.049 --> 00:16:17.389 nothing is too good for Nettie. Nettie's my wife. 00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:20.980 We've been putting money aside to buy a summer 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:23.740 home in Westport, but... Yeah, sometimes we must 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:26.539 choose. Yeah, yes. Well, perhaps I could just 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:31.080 slip out 9 ,000. It's a joint account. How soon 00:16:31.080 --> 00:16:34.879 could I have it? Oh, I could construct a mannequin 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:38.720 in about two months' time. Good. Shall I consider 00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:41.740 the order, please? At once. Of course, you'll 00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:44.940 have to report here for a body mold, color index 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:49.659 of your hair. lips, skin, etc. And I'll have 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:52.960 to do a complete electro -emotional calibration. 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:56.659 Uh -huh. Now, you guarantee that these models 00:16:56.659 --> 00:16:59.799 are foolproof? As foolproof as I can make them, 00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:03.000 Mr. Smith, and I've had years of training. And 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:05.119 there's no chance of detection? None whatever. 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:09.680 I've never had to complain. Uh, very well, Mr. 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:11.920 Zeig. I'll get the money from the bank and send 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:14.680 it to you. I'm sure you won't be sorry, Mr. Smith. 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:19.650 You will be. Just as satisfied as Walter Brayling. 00:17:29.630 --> 00:17:32.329 Oh, uh, tell her. Yes, Mr. Smith? I'd like to 00:17:32.329 --> 00:17:34.049 cash this draft in my joint account, please. 00:17:34.049 --> 00:17:39.250 Yes, sir. $9 ,000, sir? That's right. Oh, I'm 00:17:39.250 --> 00:17:41.609 afraid that's impossible, Mr. Smith. Impossible? 00:17:42.210 --> 00:17:45.109 My wife and I have a good $15 ,000 in our account. 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:48.980 You're mistaken, Mr. Smith. Well, I know. Here's 00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:52.039 your card, sir. You see, Mrs. Smith withdrew 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:57.640 $10 ,000 recently. $10 ,000? Without even telling 00:17:57.640 --> 00:18:00.319 me? I remember it distinctly, Mr. Smith. She 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:02.579 said it was for a surprise for you. Oh, good 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:04.519 Lord, she's bought that house in Connecticut. 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:09.019 My birthday is next week. She... Oh, no, no, 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:11.079 no. I've got to borrow it somewhere. I've already 00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:13.819 contracted... Yes, sir. Quite a surprise for 00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:26.250 you. Hmm, Mr. Smith? Yes? Oh, hello, Henry. Hello, 00:18:26.430 --> 00:18:28.890 Gloria. Is Walter home? I'd like to speak to 00:18:28.890 --> 00:18:31.730 him. He should be back soon. Will you wait? Yes, 00:18:31.769 --> 00:18:34.029 yes, I better. Oh, say, Henry, as long as you're 00:18:34.029 --> 00:18:36.210 here, maybe you can help me with something. What? 00:18:36.410 --> 00:18:39.069 I went downstairs to get an old suitcase a little 00:18:39.069 --> 00:18:42.309 while ago, and I heard the strangest noises near 00:18:42.309 --> 00:18:45.369 that old tool chest of Walter's. He mentioned 00:18:45.369 --> 00:18:47.990 that the boiler was acting up, and, well, I'm 00:18:47.990 --> 00:18:50.069 afraid to go down there again. I wonder if you'd 00:18:50.069 --> 00:18:54.230 take a look. What kind of noises? Like a thumping 00:18:54.230 --> 00:18:58.309 sound. Well, maybe I'd better go down, Gloria. 00:18:58.349 --> 00:19:00.450 You stay up here. Should I call a plumber, do 00:19:00.450 --> 00:19:01.809 you think? No, no, no, I'll take care of it. 00:19:01.869 --> 00:19:03.769 Well, it's right down those stairs. All right, 00:19:03.769 --> 00:19:14.789 I'll have a look. Hello? Hello in there. Let 00:19:14.789 --> 00:19:18.450 me out! Let me out! Shh, just a minute. Keep 00:19:18.450 --> 00:19:21.180 quiet, for goodness sake. Let me out! I'll have 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:27.900 to smash the lock. Now, what... Henry, thank... 00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:30.559 Thank God you've come. What's the meat? I've 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:32.940 been in there all night. I thought I'd suffocate. 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:35.700 He tried to kill me. He tried to murder me. Who? 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:38.140 Which one of you? No, don't be an idiot. I'm 00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:41.079 Walter. What happened? B -2, the marionette. 00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:43.480 He stuffed me in a toolbox and left me to suffocate. 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:46.900 What? Fortunately, I found an old file in there 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:48.799 and managed to get an air hole through the wood. 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:53.440 He's taking Gloria with him to Rio. Have they 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:55.599 left yet? No, he's gone downtown for the tickets. 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:59.240 Good. We may have time. For what? To get down 00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:01.259 to Marionettes Incorporated and tell Mr. Zeig 00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:03.579 to stop him. You're in no condition. Don't worry 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:06.519 about me. We can't waste any time. Come on. What 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:08.980 about Gloria? I'll sneak out. Tell her that you 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:11.220 fixed the plumbing. Tell her anything. I'll meet 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:14.200 you outside. All right. What a fool I've been. 00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:18.140 What a fool I almost was. I went down and ordered 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:32.529 one of those things today. Gloria, Gloria, love. 00:20:32.730 --> 00:20:35.089 Yes, darling. Did you get the tickets to Rio? 00:20:35.309 --> 00:20:38.630 Right here in my wallet. A honeymoon for two 00:20:38.630 --> 00:20:41.769 under the pampas moon. Oh, Walter, it's so nice 00:20:41.769 --> 00:20:44.430 to have you like this. Oh, you like the change? 00:20:44.650 --> 00:20:46.769 I don't know what did it, but whatever it is, 00:20:46.930 --> 00:20:49.569 I'm in favor of it. I hope it's permanent. Well, 00:20:49.589 --> 00:20:52.670 I intend to see that it is. By the way, darling, 00:20:52.769 --> 00:20:55.230 do you happen to remember where that old pistol 00:20:55.230 --> 00:20:58.390 of mine is? Pistol? Yeah, I just thought, since 00:20:58.390 --> 00:21:00.630 we're going to be traveling in strange countries, 00:21:00.950 --> 00:21:03.710 it wouldn't hurt to bring it along. Well, I think 00:21:03.710 --> 00:21:09.440 it's here in the sideboard. There. You know how 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:11.799 frightened I am of these things. Well, I'll be 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:14.259 very careful of it. In fact, I think I'll go 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:17.039 down to the basement and practice. Not really 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:19.599 shooting it, of course, just to make sure it's 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:22.220 in good working order. Now, do be careful, darling. 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:25.299 Oh, I will. If you should hear a shot, now, don't 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:28.380 be frightened. I may fire it into a block of 00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:31.380 wood just to test it. Perhaps I'll fire it into 00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:34.359 that old tool chest of mine. That should absorb 00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:37.000 it. Oh, speaking of that tool chest... What about 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.839 it? It reminds me that Henry Smith was here. 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:42.200 Oh? Yes, I heard some noises downstairs, and 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:45.839 he went to fix the plumbing. Is he still down 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:48.680 there? No, no, he left. I really don't understand 00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:51.059 it. He seemed so anxious to see you before he 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:53.819 went down to the cellar. And then he just left. 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:57.880 Did he stop the noises? Well, he must have. I 00:21:57.880 --> 00:22:01.220 don't hear them. Yeah, I see. What is it, dear? 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:03.240 Well, I have to go out for a while, darling. 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:05.680 But, Walter, we have to pack if we're leaving. 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:07.960 Well, I'll be back soon. There's something very 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:10.779 important I have to attend to. What is it? Well, 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:12.779 just some personal business with Henry Smith. 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:16.180 Now, please excuse me, darling. Now, don't worry. 00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:19.220 When I get back, everything will be fixed once 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:23.200 and for all. We can enjoy the rest of our lives 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:26.279 just as though the old Walter Brayling never 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:40.779 existed. Oh, Mr. Brayling and Mr. Smith. Come 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:45.420 in, gentlemen, come in. What brings you? Mr. 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:49.339 Zeig, you told me your marionettes were foolproof. 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:53.200 They are. My personal guarantee goes with each 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:54.980 one. We know all about your personal guarantee. 00:22:55.939 --> 00:22:57.859 except that Mr. Brayling's dummy knocked him 00:22:57.859 --> 00:23:00.400 out, stuffed him in a toolbox to suffocate, and 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:02.519 is making plans to run away with his wife. Oh, 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:06.240 dear. Yes, well, Mr. Zeig. Well, I really don't 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:08.420 know what to say, gentlemen. What Mr. Brayling 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:11.539 and myself would like to know, Mr. Zeig, is exactly 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:14.629 what are you planning to do to stop this... Over 00:23:14.629 --> 00:23:17.109 -ambitious robot. Well, of course, we shall have 00:23:17.109 --> 00:23:21.990 to recover B2 first, and then I'll simply dismantle 00:23:21.990 --> 00:23:24.490 him. Yes, but he doesn't seem to want to be dismantled, 00:23:24.509 --> 00:23:26.569 Mr. Zeig. In fact, I think that you'll have trouble 00:23:26.569 --> 00:23:29.250 catching him. Maybe I can save you the trouble, 00:23:29.349 --> 00:23:32.119 gentlemen. B -2. Look out. He's got a gun. I 00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:34.420 thought I'd find you here when I discovered the 00:23:34.420 --> 00:23:37.079 tool chest empty. Now, you look, B -2. Whatever 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:38.599 you're planning, you won't get away with it. 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:41.099 Oh, I think I will. Mr. Cy, can't you do something? 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:43.559 I'm afraid I can't think of anything. I'll save 00:23:43.559 --> 00:23:45.420 you the trouble because I'm going to kill the 00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:47.640 three of you. No, you won't get away with it. 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:50.220 No? Now, you forget that Gloria and I will be 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:52.619 on a plane to Rio in a few hours. All right, 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:55.200 Mr. Cy, you first. Now, see here. This isn't 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:59.730 fair. I created you. I... You can't. You... Grab 00:23:59.730 --> 00:24:02.130 him. I've got him. Quick, that hammer. Look out. 00:24:06.269 --> 00:24:11.029 Well, that's the end of Brayling, too. He got 00:24:11.029 --> 00:24:14.630 Zyg, though. Right through the... Holy chump 00:24:14.630 --> 00:24:19.029 and catfish. Look at him. Look at Zyg. It's nothing 00:24:19.029 --> 00:24:22.789 but a mass of coils and springs, just like Brayling, 00:24:22.809 --> 00:24:26.710 too. He's nothing but a marionette. He's no different. 00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:31.720 Brayling? Do you know what this means? Oh, this 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:35.400 is incredible. A marionette building other marionettes? 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:38.319 But someone must have built Mr. Zeig originally. 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:41.500 I wonder... Perhaps Mr. Zeig turned on whoever 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:43.799 built him the same way Brayling II turned on 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:47.440 you? Well, at any rate, we'll never know. Oh. 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:50.359 Say, I wonder how many of these things are walking 00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:52.960 around among us. Oh, I shudder to think of that. 00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:54.400 You know, some of our best friends might be. 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:56.849 Ooh. Yeah. Come on, we have to get out of here. 00:24:57.009 --> 00:24:59.190 But the police... Now, don't be a fool, Brayling. 00:24:59.289 --> 00:25:02.190 There's been no crime committed here. All the 00:25:02.190 --> 00:25:04.430 police will find is two oversized puppets with 00:25:04.430 --> 00:25:06.470 the springs coming out of them. And they seem 00:25:06.470 --> 00:25:09.170 so... so lifelike. Yes, I know, and they were 00:25:09.170 --> 00:25:11.170 only machinery. You've got to remember that. 00:25:11.569 --> 00:25:14.769 Yes. Well, what will I tell Gloria? Well, if 00:25:14.769 --> 00:25:16.109 I were you, Brayling, I wouldn't tell Gloria 00:25:16.109 --> 00:25:18.450 a thing. I'd simply pick up that other ticket 00:25:18.450 --> 00:25:20.170 to Rio and take her on a honeymoon, just as she's 00:25:20.170 --> 00:25:23.190 expecting. What about you, though, Henry? What 00:25:23.190 --> 00:25:26.240 are you going to do? Me? Well, I'm going home 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:28.720 and giving Eddie a kiss that'll send your hair. 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:31.400 Oh, you know, when I think of what might have 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:33.140 happened if I'd gone through with this marionette 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:36.220 thing, it makes a fellow realize how lucky he 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:39.160 is to be married to a decent woman. Oh, come 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:55.789 on, let's go. Eddie! Eddie! Where are you, sweetheart? 00:25:56.109 --> 00:25:59.069 In here, darling. Oh, I've missed you today. 00:25:59.190 --> 00:26:06.230 Come here. Oh, Henry. Oh, you look tired, darling. 00:26:06.349 --> 00:26:09.329 Can I do something for you? Just tell me I'm 00:26:09.329 --> 00:26:13.049 yours to command. Oh, man's a fool to jeopardize 00:26:13.049 --> 00:26:16.309 a nice home and a loving wife like you. Oh, you 00:26:16.309 --> 00:26:18.329 do love me, don't you, Nettie? Oh, you know I 00:26:18.329 --> 00:26:22.289 do. Here, let me get your slippers on. Oh, it 00:26:22.289 --> 00:26:24.009 feels good to sit back on the sofa and relax. 00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:26.720 Oh, you don't know what a trying day I've had. 00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:30.200 Oh, I can see you're all upset. It isn't anything 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:32.900 I've done, is it, dearest? Oh, no, no. Well, 00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:36.119 in a way, something you've done is connected 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:38.799 with it, yes. What's that, darling? The money. 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:41.440 Money? I know you wanted to surprise me with 00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:43.559 the house, darling, but really you shouldn't 00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:44.799 have taken that money out of the bank without 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:46.859 consulting me. Henry, I don't even know what 00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:48.980 you're talking about. No, no, Nettie. But I don't. 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:52.849 Nettie. Oh, you're so upset, darling. If it's 00:26:52.849 --> 00:26:54.670 anything important, let's talk about it later. 00:26:55.109 --> 00:26:57.309 Meanwhile, why don't you just put your head on 00:26:57.309 --> 00:27:01.289 my shoulder and rest? Well, I must admit that 00:27:01.289 --> 00:27:04.529 sounds enticing. Here. Let me make you comfortable. 00:27:05.450 --> 00:27:09.910 There. Now you just close your eyes. That's it. 00:27:15.529 --> 00:27:21.320 Maddie. Yes, darling? You hear something? No, 00:27:21.320 --> 00:27:28.680 darling. You sure? Like what? Like the ticking 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:33.220 of a clock? No. Strange. I don't hear it now, 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:37.640 but when I had my ear against your chest... Oh, 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:40.279 no. No, she couldn't have done that to me. Not 00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:42.220 Nettie. What are you talking about? I'm talking 00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:46.420 about... No, I won't believe it. You're my Nettie, 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:48.960 aren't you? You're real live flesh and blood. 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:53.480 But I hear it. It's coming from you. It's coming 00:27:53.480 --> 00:28:09.099 from you. You have just heard X -1, presented 00:28:09.099 --> 00:28:11.319 by the National Broadcasting Company in cooperation 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:14.259 with Street and Smith, publishers of astounding 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:17.079 science fiction. Tonight, by transcription... 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:20.480 X -1 has brought you Marionettes Incorporated, 00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:24.240 written by Ray Bradbury and adapted for radio 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:27.480 by George Lefferts. Featured in the cast were 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:32.180 Les Damon, Dick Hamilton, Carl Swenson, Tao Goetz, 00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:36.140 Arthur Cole, Bob Hastings, Freddie Chandler, 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:39.440 and Ginger Jones. Your announcer, Fred Collins. 00:28:39.940 --> 00:28:43.140 X -1 was directed by Daniel Sutter and is an 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:55.250 NBC Radio Network production. Pro Football Championship 00:28:55.250 --> 00:28:58.390 Los Angeles Rams versus Cleveland Browns Monday, 00:28:58.569 --> 00:29:00.269 NBC Radio.