- 9 minutes ago
"The Adaptive Ultimate" is a classic episode of the CBS radio adventure series Escape, originally broadcast on March 26, 1949. Adapted from a famous science fiction short story by John Stanley Barnes (writing as Stanley G. Weinbaum and John Jessel), the suspenseful half-hour drama tells the chilling story of an experimental serum that grants human tissue rapid and absolute biological adaptation.
Category
🎈
FunTranscript
00:01Tired of the everyday routine?
00:04Ever dream of a life of romantic adventure?
00:10Want to get away from it all?
00:12We offer you...
00:14Escape!
00:18Escape, transcribed to free you from the four walls of today
00:21for a half hour of high adventure.
00:26You are standing outside a room,
00:29horror gripping you.
00:30Well, before your eyes seen through the transom window,
00:33the most beautiful girl in the world is about to die
00:36because of you.
00:45Today we escape from reality
00:47with a fascinating story of a girl who lived a weird second life.
00:52As John Jessel told it in his gripping story,
00:55The Adaptive Ultimate.
01:08No, Daniel, I can't do it.
01:10You have a very interesting theory, but...
01:13It's more than a theory, Dr. Bach.
01:14I've proved it.
01:15It works.
01:16I tried my serum on tubercular guinea pigs
01:19and it cured them.
01:19They adapted themselves to the tubercular bacillus and live.
01:23I tried my serum on a dog with rabies.
01:25He adapted himself, too.
01:27I tried it on a cat with a broken spine.
01:29The cat instantly adapted itself to its injury
01:32so that the spine had time to knit and heal.
01:35Don't you see what a tremendous discovery this is?
01:37Yes, perhaps.
01:38Well, think what that would mean in accident cases.
01:40There'd be no further need for emergency surgery.
01:43Don't you see that?
01:44No matter what the condition, the injury to the body,
01:47a mere injection of my serum would permit the patient instantly
01:50to adapt himself to his condition and live.
01:54No matter what his injury.
01:56Exactly.
01:57A serum made from insects.
01:58From a common fruit fly,
02:00the most adaptable of living organisms.
02:02Tear off a wing and it grows a new one.
02:05Tear off its head, even.
02:07Stick on a new head and that, too, will adhere in time.
02:10Think of imparting that same adaptability to human beings.
02:14To grow new heads, it has merit...
02:16Oh, now, please, Dr. Bach.
02:17All right, all right.
02:19No, seriously.
02:20I know this may be a great thing,
02:22but to permit you to experiment on a human being,
02:24no, I...
02:25The most hopeless case you can find, Dr. Bach.
02:28Someone already doomed.
02:29Well, if someday I discover in the hospital a hopeless case,
02:34understand it will be hopeless.
02:35I understand.
02:36And if the patient shall consent,
02:38then you will have your human guinea pig.
02:51Well, Dr. Scott,
02:52you requisitioned for yourself a hopeless case.
02:55Permit me.
02:57Here is your guinea pig.
02:58What is it, Dr. Bach?
03:00TB?
03:01Yeah, final stage.
03:02A matter of hours at most.
03:05She might have been attractive once,
03:07but now,
03:08hair like string,
03:10skinny like a skeleton,
03:11and flesh like wax.
03:13Dr. Bach, you call this a fair test?
03:14I said hopeless,
03:15but I didn't say a corpse.
03:17The lady is returning to life,
03:19such as it is.
03:22Well, Dr. Scott,
03:23I regret I have not a more palatable subject for your experiment,
03:27but this is what I promised.
03:29A hopeless case.
03:30It's all right, I'll try it.
03:31Oh, what's her name?
03:33Let me see.
03:33It's on the chart here.
03:35Zelas.
03:36What was that?
03:37Her name is Kira Zelas.
03:39Oh.
03:40Young lady.
03:41Mm-hmm.
03:42Permit me,
03:43I am Dr. Herman Bach,
03:45chief of the staff,
03:46and I would like to introduce
03:47one of our promising young doctors.
03:50He wants a...
03:52a date, I suppose.
03:54Miss Zelas.
03:56Hello, brown eyes.
03:58What?
03:59Your eyes are...
04:01brown, aren't they?
04:03Miss Zelas,
04:03you see,
04:04I've perfected this serum.
04:06I like...
04:07brown eyes.
04:09This, um...
04:10this serum might help you,
04:11but it has never been tried
04:12on a human being before.
04:14Well, I thought if you have no objection...
04:16What are the...
04:17odds?
04:19Odds?
04:20Well,
04:21actually,
04:21you've everything to gain.
04:23And...
04:24nothing to lose.
04:25Well?
04:26how right you are.
04:30Okay.
04:32I'm...
04:33I'm all yours,
04:34brown eyes.
04:35Go ahead.
04:38Experiment away.
04:40Dr. Bach,
04:41prepare her arm.
04:4824 hours,
04:49and she is yet alive.
04:51I would have said yesterday
04:53it would be impossible
04:54she should survive the night.
05:01So it is now 48 hours,
05:03and she actually seems better.
05:05But miracles such as this
05:08have happened before,
05:09and without serums.
05:16A week,
05:17and she still lives.
05:19Each day,
05:20she becomes better.
05:21It is miraculous.
05:22The spots on her lungs
05:23are disappearing.
05:24The coughing is stopped.
05:26There is no sign
05:27of bacillus
05:28in the culture.
05:29But even more amazing,
05:31a reaction to abrasion,
05:33skin punctures.
05:34Yesterday,
05:35I took a blood specimen.
05:36Before I had one cc,
05:38the puncture in her skin
05:39had closed.
05:40Yes,
05:41in 30 seconds.
05:42The ordinary person,
05:44it takes a day,
05:46two days for it to heal.
05:47With Miss Kira Zelas,
05:4930 seconds.
05:51It is amazing.
05:59Then I will not dispute it.
06:01Your serum has worked a miracle.
06:03She is cured.
06:05And now,
06:06I must just discharge her
06:07from the hospital.
06:08Well,
06:09Dr. Bach,
06:09I...
06:09You had forgotten
06:10that I must come sometime,
06:12hmm?
06:12But you see,
06:13I must.
06:13She is cured,
06:14and we need the room.
06:16Well,
06:16yes,
06:16yes,
06:17I know,
06:17but,
06:18well,
06:18well,
06:19she should be under observation.
06:20We don't know what effects
06:21will show up.
06:22I think,
06:22Daniel,
06:23you have an extraordinary
06:24interest in Miss Zelas.
06:27Sir?
06:27I have asked her to come here.
06:28She is outside.
06:29Shall we invite her in?
06:30Well,
06:31yes,
06:31of course.
06:32Send in Miss Zelas,
06:33please.
06:34Now,
06:35observe well
06:36your miracle.
06:38Miss Zelas,
06:39come in,
06:40come in,
06:40sit down.
06:41Thanks.
06:42Oh,
06:43hello,
06:43brown eyes.
06:44Hello,
06:44Kira.
06:45I have sent for you,
06:46Miss Zelas,
06:47because I have good news.
06:48Today,
06:49I am discharging you
06:50from the hospital.
06:51Oh?
06:51Yeah?
06:52Today,
06:52you are free to go.
06:54That pleases you?
06:56Madly.
06:57Kira,
06:58you have people,
06:59perhaps?
06:59A family?
07:01Aren't we all brothers
07:02and sisters,
07:03under the skin?
07:04Miss Zelas,
07:05I will come to the point.
07:06I wish to make you
07:07a proposition.
07:08I mean,
07:09purely a scientific...
07:11Yes,
07:11I know.
07:12An experiment.
07:13Precisely.
07:14We are interested,
07:15Dr. Scott and I,
07:16to observe the further effects
07:18of the serum he gave you.
07:20Yes?
07:20I will pay you board and room
07:22and thirty dollars a week.
07:23You will live at my house.
07:25I have a housekeeper,
07:26Mrs. Getz.
07:26She will look after you.
07:27Is that satisfactory?
07:29Wouldn't I be a fool
07:30to say no?
07:31Excellent,
07:31excellent.
07:32Does,
07:32uh,
07:33brown eyes live there too?
07:35No,
07:35but Dr. Scott
07:37will continue to have
07:38a clinical interest
07:39in the experiment.
07:40Miss Zelas,
07:41have no fear.
07:42Good.
07:43Yes.
07:44Well,
07:45it is now almost time
07:46for dinner.
07:46I will take you,
07:47Miss Zelas.
07:48You will join us,
07:48Dr. Scott?
07:49Why,
07:49yes,
07:49fine,
07:50Dr. Bach.
07:50Very well.
07:50We shall meet outside
07:51in, what,
07:52ten minutes?
07:52That'll do me nicely.
07:53Miss Zelas,
07:54you wish to wait here
07:55or maybe outside?
07:55A little fresh air?
07:57I think I could use
07:58a little air.
07:59Good.
07:59There is a little park
08:00across the street.
08:01You will find benches
08:02there to rest.
08:03We will meet
08:03at the front entrance
08:04in ten minutes.
08:14Dr. Bach.
08:15Dr. Bach,
08:16what is it?
08:16What's the matter?
08:17Some sort of commotion
08:18across the street
08:19in the park.
08:20There is Kira.
08:20Well,
08:21I thought she'd be here
08:22with you.
08:23Perhaps she is still
08:23over there in the park.
08:25What do you support?
08:26Come on!
08:29Dr. Bach,
08:30it is Kira.
08:31Kira,
08:32let me through,
08:32please.
08:34Kira,
08:34let us through,
08:35please.
08:36Officer,
08:37what's happened?
08:37What is this?
08:38Why are you holding
08:39this lady?
08:39Do you know this woman?
08:40Yes, of course.
08:41What is it?
08:41What's the matter here?
08:42Lenny,
08:42your lady friend here
08:43merely walks up
08:44to an old jet
08:44about 60 or so,
08:45picks up a nice
08:46hefty rock
08:46and beats his brains up.
08:47Officer,
08:48there must be
08:48some awful mistake.
08:49Yeah,
08:49her mistake.
08:50Cold-blooded murder.
08:52Come on,
08:52sister,
08:53there's the wagon.
08:53But,
08:53officer,
08:54listen.
08:54You'd better come along
08:55too, mister.
08:56Mona Lisa here
08:57don't seem to be
08:57much in the mood
08:58for talking.
08:59We'll need someone
08:59to tell the desk
09:00sergeant her name.
09:09Kira,
09:10this is terrible
09:11seeing you here
09:11like this.
09:12I've got to get you
09:13out of here.
09:14I've got to help you.
09:15She is not so bad
09:16when you're here.
09:17Well, listen,
09:18this is all
09:19a terrible mistake.
09:20If you'll tell me
09:21we're...
09:21Mistake?
09:22Well,
09:23yes,
09:23of course,
09:24you...
09:25Kira,
09:27you didn't kill
09:28that man.
09:29If I said yes,
09:30what would you do?
09:31Why,
09:33I'd tell them
09:33you weren't responsible.
09:34I'd tell them
09:35about the serum.
09:36I'd tell them
09:36it was my fault
09:37that somehow
09:37the serum I gave you
09:38caused your mind
09:39to snap something.
09:40That would be
09:42the only explanation.
09:43You'd do this.
09:45Ruin your career,
09:46no doubt.
09:47Just to save me.
09:48Oh, yes,
09:48of course I would.
09:49And what would
09:50they do to me?
09:51I...
09:52I don't know exactly.
09:53Put you away
09:54under observation.
09:56Something.
09:58Kira,
09:58we...
09:58Then my answer's
09:59no.
10:00I did not kill
10:00the man.
10:02Oh, don't worry.
10:03I won't be convicted.
10:04I'll take care
10:05of myself very well.
10:06I'll,
10:07as you say,
10:09adapt myself
10:10to the situation.
10:18All right now,
10:19Mr. Salvatore,
10:20continue.
10:21Tell the court
10:21in your own words
10:22precisely what happened.
10:24This old man,
10:25you see,
10:26buys circus peanuts
10:27from me every day.
10:29For months,
10:30every day.
10:31And this one,
10:32they pull out
10:33his pocketbook,
10:34his billfold,
10:36and I'm,
10:36look,
10:37it's stuffed
10:37with the bills.
10:38Big money.
10:40He says,
10:41Salvatore,
10:41can I make a change
10:42for $20?
10:43And I'm left.
10:44I'm going to say,
10:45mister,
10:45I'm a peanut man.
10:47You take the peanuts
10:48and you pay me tomorrow.
10:49He said,
10:50thank you very much.
10:50He turned around
10:51and then here's this
10:52dame,
10:53she pick up,
10:54oh,
10:54it's a great big stone
10:55and conks him.
10:56It's murder.
10:58I object,
10:58your honor.
10:59Objection,
11:00Continue,
11:00Mr. Salvatore.
11:02Oh,
11:03there's nothing
11:03more to say.
11:05This dame,
11:05she bend over
11:06and she reach
11:07in his pocket
11:07to take the money.
11:09I'm going to grab
11:09people come,
11:10police are coming.
11:12Mr. Salvatore,
11:13can you describe
11:14this young lady
11:15to us?
11:15Oh,
11:16she,
11:16I remember her
11:18very well.
11:19She's,
11:21she's skinny.
11:22She's,
11:23ain't no beauty,
11:24you know.
11:25She got the black suit,
11:26the brown hair.
11:28I,
11:29she,
11:29don't know,
11:30dark,
11:31you know,
11:31maybe brown,
11:32blue.
11:32Thank you,
11:33Mr. Salvatore.
11:34Your witness.
11:37Mr. Salvatore,
11:38you say that the young lady,
11:40the assailant,
11:41had brown hair
11:42and dark eyes?
11:43Si,
11:44brown hair,
11:45dark blue eyes.
11:46And do you see
11:47the young lady
11:47in the courtroom?
11:48Oh,
11:49si,
11:49she's a sit right to...
11:51What's the matter,
11:52Mr. Salvatore?
11:54Are you pointing
11:55at Mrs. Salas?
11:56Si.
11:58May I ask
11:59the defendant
11:59to rise,
12:00please?
12:01Miss Salas,
12:02will you kindly
12:03remove your hat,
12:04please?
12:05Dr. Bach,
12:06look,
12:06her hair,
12:07it's,
12:08it's become
12:09the color of aluminum.
12:11Your Honor,
12:11I submit
12:12that this defendant
12:13does not possess
12:14dark hair,
12:15nor if you will
12:16observe dark eyes.
12:18I am prepared,
12:19therefore,
12:19to submit
12:20a lock of her hair
12:21to be tested
12:22by any chemist
12:23the court may appoint
12:24to prove
12:25that the pigmentation
12:26is entirely
12:27natural.
12:29Now,
12:30Mr. Salvatore,
12:31do you still say
12:32that this is
12:33the young lady
12:33you saw in the park?
12:36I think she's...
12:38Is she?
12:41Mama,
12:42me,
12:42she's...
12:42No!
12:52Good Lord,
12:52Dr. Bach,
12:53that hair of hers,
12:54did you see it?
12:55It was the color
12:56of aluminum.
12:59She was beautiful.
13:00Yeah,
13:00yeah,
13:01beautiful,
13:01and so she's been
13:02acquitted.
13:03They call her
13:03innocent.
13:04Daniel,
13:05I am a convert
13:06to your great
13:07principle of adaptability,
13:10but where will it end?
13:11You start with an ideal,
13:13and you wake up
13:14to discover
13:15you have created
13:16a monster.
13:17But she was acquitted,
13:17it was all a mistake.
13:18You really believe that?
13:21Dr. Bach?
13:22Yes,
13:22Mrs. Griss?
13:23She is here,
13:24Doctor.
13:24She?
13:25That woman
13:25in the newspaper.
13:27Kira is here?
13:28You said she was so poor,
13:29such a church mouse.
13:31Ah,
13:31you should see her.
13:32What do you mean,
13:33Mrs. Griss?
13:33So fine,
13:35so great,
13:36little lady.
13:36I'll go and talk
13:37to her,
13:37Dr. Bach.
13:41Hello,
13:42Brown Eyes.
13:43Hello,
13:44Kira.
13:45Aren't you glad
13:46to see me?
13:47Oh,
13:47yes,
13:47yes,
13:48of course.
13:50Oh,
13:50congratulations
13:50on your acquittal
13:51today.
13:52We were there.
13:52I know,
13:53I sensed it.
13:54I was hurt
13:55that you didn't
13:55come up
13:55and congratulate me.
13:56Well,
13:57there were
13:57photographers,
13:58and I...
13:59What?
14:00Kira,
14:01your hair,
14:02it's black again.
14:03Isn't it always?
14:05Don't you like it?
14:05Oh,
14:06yes,
14:06yes,
14:07of course.
14:07It's beautiful.
14:09And
14:10I beautiful
14:11Brown Eyes.
14:14Very,
14:14very beautiful.
14:15And
14:17are you happy
14:18to hand me back?
14:20Oh,
14:20yes.
14:23Hmm.
14:25I always
14:26did like
14:27Brown Eyes.
14:28Kira.
14:28Tell me,
14:29how do you like
14:30my new clothes?
14:31My gown?
14:32Why,
14:32it's very nice.
14:33Nice?
14:34It's exquisite.
14:35I have a whole
14:36new wardrobe,
14:37hat,
14:37shoes.
14:38How,
14:38Kira?
14:39Where did you
14:39get the money?
14:40Money?
14:41You only had
14:42three dollars
14:42when you left
14:43the hospital.
14:44Oh,
14:45so I did.
14:47Kira.
14:50Kira,
14:50you did take that
14:51wallet from the
14:52old man.
14:53Why,
14:53naturally.
14:54You,
14:56you,
14:57you did
14:58murder him.
14:59Certainly.
15:01Oh,
15:01calm,
15:02don't look so
15:03shocked.
15:05I'm tired,
15:06Brown Eyes.
15:07You'll excuse me
15:08if I appropriate
15:09Dr. Bach's room.
15:11Good night.
15:22Dr. Bach,
15:23we've got to do
15:23something.
15:24Yes,
15:24Daniel,
15:25we do.
15:25I haven't slept a wink
15:26all night trying to
15:27think of what we can do.
15:28I've been here in the
15:29laboratory all night.
15:30I think I know.
15:31What?
15:31This serum of yours,
15:33it has accomplished
15:33a miracle.
15:34Yeah.
15:35It is the
15:36adaptive
15:37ultimate.
15:39Changes that take
15:40the ordinary person
15:40days or months,
15:42she accomplishes
15:42instantly.
15:43She walks into
15:44the sunlight,
15:45she's tan.
15:46She walks out,
15:47she is pale again.
15:49When she is in
15:50danger,
15:51she adapts.
15:53She could survive
15:53the electric chair,
15:55the hangman's noose.
15:56She was in danger
15:57in the courtroom,
15:58she adapted.
15:59She changed her
16:00whole appearance
16:01at will,
16:02so she could not
16:02be identified.
16:03Yes,
16:03I know,
16:04I know.
16:04You must not
16:05blame yourself.
16:06You could not
16:07know what you
16:07were creating.
16:09Now,
16:10this morning,
16:10I operated on
16:12one of your
16:12guinea pigs.
16:13I found this,
16:15the pineal gland
16:16hypertrophied.
16:17That is what
16:18causes it.
16:19Well,
16:19then,
16:19then we could
16:20operate and
16:20maybe change
16:22her back.
16:22Yeah,
16:23but she can
16:24adapt to anything,
16:25anesthesia included.
16:27How can we
16:27operate,
16:28unless we get
16:29her consent?
16:29Well,
16:30perhaps.
16:31Oh,
16:31you are dreaming,
16:32Daniel.
16:33Do you really
16:34think she
16:34will consent
16:35now?
16:36Now that
16:36she has
16:37power?
16:38Perhaps
16:38more power
16:39than any
16:39human being
16:40ever possessed
16:41before.
16:42Power for evil.
16:44And she has
16:45already killed
16:46one man,
16:47remember?
16:47But if we
16:47watched her,
16:48doctor,
16:48kept her under
16:49guard...
16:49again,
16:50Pygmalion falls
16:51in love
16:51with his
16:51Galatea.
16:52No,
16:52Daniel,
16:53no.
16:53She must
16:54be destroyed.
16:55We must
16:56perform surgery
16:57at once.
16:57Or she'll
16:58die.
16:59She will
16:59go back
17:00to what
17:00she was,
17:01with but
17:02a few
17:02hours to
17:03live.
17:04It is
17:04best,
17:05Daniel.
17:06Yes,
17:06I suppose
17:07so.
17:09Yes?
17:10Yes,
17:10Mrs.
17:10Getz?
17:11Hmm?
17:14Okay.
17:15What is it,
17:16Dr.
17:16Bach?
17:17And so
17:18perhaps she
17:18is also
17:19telepathic.
17:20She sensed
17:21what we were
17:21about to do,
17:22and now it is
17:23too late.
17:23What do you
17:23mean?
17:24Miss Zalas
17:24is gone.
17:26Disappeared.
17:36Dr.
17:36Bach,
17:37did you call
17:37for me?
17:38Yes,
17:38Daniel.
17:40Have you
17:41seen the
17:41evening paper
17:41yet?
17:42No,
17:42not yet.
17:43Then here,
17:44after two
17:44months,
17:45there is
17:46news of
17:46Miss
17:47Kira
17:47Zalas.
17:48What?
17:48Let me
17:48see there.
17:50Where?
17:51Oh,
17:52the surprise
17:53of the
17:53evening was
17:54the appearance
17:54of John
17:55Callan,
17:55ambassador
17:55at large,
17:56diplomat
17:57extraordinary,
17:57the man
17:58slated to
17:58head the
17:59forthcoming
18:00World
18:01Atomic
18:01Energy
18:02Control
18:02Commission.
18:03Mr.
18:04Callan,
18:04one of
18:04Washington's
18:05confirmed
18:05bachelors,
18:06squired the
18:07gorgeous
18:08Kira
18:09Zalas.
18:10You see?
18:10She has
18:11become
18:11gorgeous,
18:12our
18:13drab little
18:13urchin.
18:14Miss
18:14Zalas,
18:14the dazzling
18:15beauty who
18:15affects a
18:16dark week
18:16by day
18:17and a
18:17white one
18:17at night.
18:18A great
18:18power of
18:19adaptability
18:20courtesy of
18:20Dr.
18:21Daniel Scott.
18:22Dark
18:22by day,
18:22white by
18:23night.
18:23Well,
18:23what are we
18:23going to
18:24do,
18:24doctor?
18:24Do?
18:25The world
18:26atomic energy
18:26control,
18:27the one
18:27real hope
18:28of world
18:28peace.
18:29Kira isn't
18:29interested in
18:30peace.
18:30What can
18:30we do?
18:31Surgery,
18:32I know,
18:32but politics?
18:33We must
18:34wait and
18:35see.
18:36We must
18:37wait and
18:37see how
18:38far your
18:38mad woman
18:39will go.
18:44Washington
18:45is agog with
18:46rumors about
18:47the romance
18:47between glamorous
18:48Kira Zalas and
18:49John Callan,
18:50the newly
18:50appointed head
18:51of the world
18:51atomic energy
18:52control,
18:53one of the
18:53most powerful
18:54political figures
18:55on the globe.
18:59John Callan
19:00leaves tomorrow
19:00for the crucial
19:01atomic energy
19:02conferences at
19:02Geneva,
19:03Switzerland,
19:04and sailing
19:04on the same
19:05boat as the
19:06exotic Miss
19:07Kira Zalas,
19:07with whom his
19:08name has been
19:09frequently linked.
19:10Rumor has it
19:11Miss Zalas acts
19:12as a sort of
19:13unofficial
19:14assistant to
19:14Mr. Callan,
19:16thus making her
19:16one of the
19:17most important
19:17women in the
19:18world.
19:23Glamorous
19:24exotic.
19:25Of such
19:26fragile stuff
19:27is world
19:28peace fashioned
19:28these days,
19:29Daniel.
19:30I wonder what
19:30she intends to
19:31some of the
19:32calling at
19:33dinner time.
19:33Oh, sit still,
19:34Dr. Bach.
19:35I'll see who it
19:35is.
19:39Yes?
19:40Kira.
19:41Hello,
19:41brown eyes.
19:42May I come in?
19:43Why, yes,
19:44of course.
19:45Oh,
19:45oh,
19:47an exotic
19:48guinea pig.
19:48Good evening,
19:49Dr. Bach.
19:50I'm not intruding.
19:51Of course not.
19:52You're very kind.
19:53John and I,
19:54you've read about
19:55Mr. Callan?
19:56Oh, yes, yes.
19:57We're leaving for
19:57Europe tomorrow
19:58for the conferences
19:59in Switzerland.
20:00Yes.
20:00He had a series
20:00of meetings to
20:01attend tonight,
20:02so I told him
20:02I would stay here.
20:03You're staying here?
20:04I took the liberty
20:05of saying you were
20:06my uncle,
20:06Dr. Bach.
20:07Oh.
20:08John will call for
20:09me in the morning
20:09on his way to the
20:10airport.
20:10We're leaving at
20:11eight.
20:12I do hope I'm not
20:13too late for dinner.
20:14Not at all.
20:16In fact,
20:16we're very happy
20:17to have you here.
20:19Aren't we,
20:19Dr. Scott?
20:30Kira.
20:31Hello,
20:31Brown Eyes.
20:32What are you doing
20:33out here in the garden?
20:34Waiting for you.
20:35You knew I'd follow you?
20:36Of course.
20:38Have you missed me?
20:38You know I have.
20:40Oh,
20:40Kira,
20:40listen to me.
20:42Do you love this
20:43John Callan?
20:44When I want love,
20:46I'll come to you,
20:47Brown Eyes.
20:48Well,
20:48then why?
20:49What is it?
20:50Money?
20:50Money?
20:51I don't need money
20:52anymore.
20:53What does an empress
20:54need with money?
20:55Empress?
20:56That's what you've
20:57made me.
20:57The most powerful
20:59woman the world's
21:00ever known.
21:01John Callan.
21:02He's supposed to be
21:03important,
21:04but in my hands
21:05he's clay,
21:06to be molded
21:07as I wish.
21:08Do you see
21:09what that means?
21:10Yes,
21:10I see.
21:11You hold the fate
21:12of the world
21:13in your hands.
21:14Exactly.
21:14To do with
21:15as I want.
21:16And I shall.
21:18Would you like
21:19to rule the world
21:20with me,
21:20Brown Eyes?
21:22Kira,
21:23you're evil.
21:24What is good?
21:25What's evil?
21:27Come here,
21:27Brown Eyes.
21:29Look at me.
21:31And forget
21:32such things.
21:41Are you asleep,
21:42Dr. Bach?
21:43Sleep?
21:43Who can sleep?
21:45Kira's insane,
21:46Doctor.
21:46Do you know
21:47what she's planning
21:47to do?
21:48I heard.
21:51Maybe we could
21:52get to this Callum.
21:53And then what?
21:54Well,
21:54if we could talk
21:55to him,
21:55tell him...
21:56Tell him,
21:56tell him what?
21:57Didn't I talk to you?
21:58Would you listen?
21:59Where is she?
22:00Oh,
22:01she's gone to sleep.
22:02I tell you,
22:02there's only one remedy,
22:04surgery.
22:04It is the only hope.
22:05But she'll never
22:06consent to surgery,
22:07Dr. Bach,
22:08and she's probably
22:08immune to anesthesia.
22:10Maybe not.
22:10Maybe not all anesthesia.
22:12What?
22:13Downstairs in my laboratory,
22:14I have a tank
22:15of ethyl chloride.
22:16You mean
22:16operate here,
22:17tonight?
22:18Yeah.
22:19Tonight.
22:20Right here,
22:21while she sleeps.
22:29All right,
22:30then.
22:30Now stop
22:31staring down at her.
22:33pour the anesthesia
22:34onto the cone.
22:35Hurry.
22:38That ought to be enough
22:39to anesthetize an elephant.
22:40Onto the face,
22:42quickly.
22:42All right.
22:43Then,
22:44tightly,
22:45hold it close.
22:46I'm trying.
22:47She's forcing my hand.
22:49I can't hold her.
22:51She's too strong.
22:52I...
22:53Fools.
22:55Did you think
22:55you could make me
22:56unconscious?
22:58You...
22:59You were going
23:00to operate on me.
23:02Is that what
23:02you were planning?
23:04Or were you
23:05going to slit
23:05my throat
23:06with that scalpel?
23:07Look!
23:08Kira,
23:08don't!
23:09There!
23:10You see?
23:11I plunge
23:11your knife
23:12into my heart.
23:13I withdraw it.
23:16And the wound
23:16is healed.
23:19Now,
23:20go away,
23:21both of you.
23:21I want to sleep.
23:23John will be
23:23calling for me
23:24at eight.
23:35Half past five
23:37in the morning.
23:38Two and a half
23:39hours more
23:40and she will leave.
23:41And the world
23:42will be one step
23:43nearer chaos.
23:46We are scientists,
23:47Dan.
23:48We have a responsibility
23:49to civilization.
23:50We must find a way
23:52to destroy this...
23:52Carbon dioxide.
23:55Carbon dioxide,
23:56It's a fundamental
23:56biological law.
23:57No human can survive
23:58in its own waste product.
23:59Carbon dioxide
24:00is a human waste.
24:02Dr. Bach,
24:03if we could fill the room
24:03where she's sleeping
24:04with carbon dioxide,
24:05she'd become unconscious.
24:06You could operate
24:07and...
24:08Who are you calling?
24:09The hospital.
24:10I will have them
24:11send over two tanks
24:12of carbon dioxide.
24:13Do you think
24:14it should work then?
24:14We must try anything.
24:17Hello,
24:17this is Dr. Bach.
24:18Let me talk to surgery.
24:20Now hurry,
24:20it is an emergency.
24:31The tube is ready.
24:34You've sealed the crack
24:34under the door?
24:35Yes.
24:36You closed the window?
24:37Yes.
24:39All right.
24:40Let us start the gas.
24:43Shh.
24:48Now then,
24:50through the transom
24:51above the bedroom door,
24:52you will be able
24:53to observe her reactions.
24:55You've placed
24:56the lighted candle
24:57inside the room?
24:58Yes, doctor.
24:59I left the candle
25:00on the table.
25:01Observe it carefully.
25:02All right.
25:03When it goes out,
25:05your Miss Kira Zaylas
25:06should be unconscious.
25:12Dan,
25:13can you see inside
25:14the room from up there?
25:15Yes, doctor.
25:18Candle is flickering,
25:19doctor.
25:20Wait.
25:22No,
25:22it's still flickering.
25:25It's just gone out,
25:26doctor.
25:27Excellent.
25:28It means there is now
25:29a concentration
25:30of 8 or 10%
25:31carbon dioxide.
25:32The average person
25:34would long since
25:35be dead.
25:36Doctor.
25:37Yeah, Dan,
25:37what?
25:38Just a minute.
25:40Yes, yes?
25:42She's breathing
25:42much more quickly now,
25:44convulsively.
25:45Uh-huh.
25:46She's still breathing.
25:47She...
25:48She's opening her eyes now.
25:50What?
25:51She's...
25:53She's getting up.
25:54Getting up?
25:56She's...
25:56Staggering.
25:58Holding her throat,
25:59doctor.
26:00She's gasping.
26:01She's...
26:03Moving toward the door.
26:05She's trying to unlock the...
26:07So, so.
26:09She's seen me.
26:12She...
26:12She's trying to...
26:14Well, well, sir.
26:17What is it?
26:18She's collapsed.
26:21It's over.
26:34Yes?
26:35How do you do, Dr. Bach?
26:36I'm John Callup.
26:37John Callup.
26:38Oh, yes.
26:38Yes, of course.
26:39Come in.
26:40I haven't taken you away
26:41from anything.
26:42Oh, no, no.
26:43We were performing
26:43some surgery,
26:44my associate and I.
26:45I have a miniature surgery
26:47here for emergencies.
26:48We have just finished.
26:49Is that the patient
26:51on the table?
26:52Yeah, yes.
26:53Is she...
26:54Yes.
26:55She is dead.
26:57Too bad.
26:59She'd be looking creature,
27:00wasn't she?
27:01She was...
27:02a charity case.
27:04Well, I...
27:04I won't keep you.
27:05Is Kira here?
27:06No, she...
27:07She changed her plans.
27:09She said there were
27:09some things she wished to do
27:10and she would meet you
27:11at the airport.
27:12Well, that's a woman's
27:13prerogative, isn't it?
27:14Changing plans.
27:14Yes.
27:15I'd better get a move on, then.
27:16Nice to see you, doctor.
27:17I hope we'll meet again
27:19when I return from Europe.
27:20Yes, that will be nice,
27:21Mr. Callum,
27:21and good luck on your mission.
27:23Thank you, sir.
27:24Goodbye.
27:25Yeah, goodbye.
27:27Well, Daniel,
27:29maybe we will get
27:30some sleep now.
27:33Dan.
27:33Huh?
27:34Oh, I'm...
27:35I'm sorry, doctor.
27:36I was daydreaming.
27:39She's lovely, isn't she?
27:41Lovely.
27:44Yeah, Dan, lovely.
27:45May she always be
27:47in your memory.
27:56Escape is produced
27:57and directed by
27:58Norman MacDonald.
28:01Today, we have presented
28:03transcribed
28:04The Adaptive Ultimate
28:05by John Jessel,
28:06adapted for radio
28:07by Chet Spurgeon
28:08and Herb Futran,
28:10with editorial supervision
28:11by John Dunkel,
28:13starring Edgar Barrier
28:14as Dr. Bach
28:15and Stacey Harris
28:16as Dan Scott.
28:17Featured in the cast
28:18were Elsie Holmes,
28:19Frank Gerstle,
28:20Larry Dobkin,
28:21Tom Charlesworth,
28:22and Anne Morrison.
28:24Special music
28:24was arranged and played
28:25by Ivan Dittmarz.
28:28Next week,
28:29you are trapped
28:30in a dark, empty house,
28:32a girl lying dead
28:33at your feet,
28:34and surrounding you,
28:36closing in on you,
28:37are the band of killers,
28:38deadly enemies
28:39of your country
28:40and yourself,
28:41and they are intent
28:43on murdering you.
28:50Next week,
28:51we escape with
28:52the famous story,
28:54Confidential Agent
28:55by Graham Greene.
28:56Be sure to tune in
28:58at this same time
28:58next week,
28:59when once again,
29:00we offer you
29:01Escape!
29:03Escape!
29:04Escape!
29:11This is Roy Rowan speaking
29:13for CBS,
29:15the Columbia Broadcasting System.
29:17We meet now.
29:21We meet now.
29:22Excuse me.
29:22Bye.
29:28We meet now.
29:30Peace.
29:30You