CBS Radio Mystery Theater (a.k.a. Radio Mystery Theater and Mystery Theater) is a radio drama series created by Himan Brown that was broadcast on CBS Radio Network affiliates from 1974 to 1982, and later in the early 2000s was repeated by the NPR satellite feed.
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00:00Welcome. I'm E.G. Marshall. Let's say it's a bright summer day with the sky high and
00:27blue and you are half dozing in the shade of a tree out in the country or on your patio.
00:34A dense, dark shadow passes over you. And for the briefest moment, you shudder to the
00:41marrow of your bones with such intense cold that for that moment, heart, breathing, feeling,
00:50life stops dead. You open your eyes and look up, but there is nothing in the clear sky.
00:58Then you will know that over you has passed one of the ghost planes. Our mystery drama,
01:06The Ghost Plane, was written especially for the Mystery Theater by Ian Martin and stars
01:12Richard Crenna and Janet Waldo. It is sponsored in part by Sinoff, the Sinus Medicines,
01:19and Buick Motor Division. I'll be back shortly with Act One.
01:27For all intents and purposes, the plane in which we are traveling is not different from
01:41any normal jet, a 707 or perhaps a DC-9, with two exceptions, perhaps. There is no first class,
01:49as if it were a charter plane, and it carries only two lone passengers, both of them apparently
01:58asleep. There are other, many other differences in this plane, but I leave you to discover those
02:06for yourself. Wake up, Jenny. Wake up, Jenny. Wake up, Jenny. Wake up, Jenny.
02:16Where, where am I? A plane? I wasn't going on a plane, was I? Or was I? If I am, where to,
02:29what for? I can't be awake. It doesn't feel. And yet I'm, I'm not asleep, I know that. I can hear
02:42the engines, feel the vibration. Oh, there, there's a stewardess. Except she looks so old.
02:51I never saw an old stewardess on a plane before. But at the end, I can ask her. Oh, why did she
03:02have to stop by him? I hope they don't talk too long. Herb Moss, wake up. Herb Moss, wake up.
03:12Herb Moss, wake up. I must have fallen asleep. It's funny, I don't feel tired. I can't remember.
03:28Chicago? St. Louis? No, I didn't have a town trip this week. Did I? It wasn't up at the lake.
03:39Everyone, how? Oh, stewardess. Yes, sir. Can I help you? The seatbelt light is out,
03:48so I guess it's safe to smoke? In the rear of the plane, it is permitted to smoke. Well,
03:53thanks. Yeah, how about rustling me up a double martini real dry to go with that? Oh, I'm sorry,
03:58Mr. Moss, there are no drinks served on this plane. Not even a little wine with dinner? No
04:04meals I served either. No, that's the way it is with charter flights. You could call this a
04:10charter flight. Yes, sir. It's not a through flight, I guess. There'll be some setbacks.
04:17That's correct, sir. Well, I hope for your sake business wasn't all that bad, just two of us.
04:23How many are you expecting at the next stop? I don't know that yet. Excuse me,
04:29I think I want it up front, Mr. Moss. May I be of assistance, Miss Wallace? I know you're
04:40gonna think this is real dumb of me, but I fell asleep and waking up, I'm so spaced out,
04:45I can't remember. I mean, where are we going? I'm sorry, dear, I'm not allowed to tell you that.
04:53You mean I'm some sort of prisoner? Oh, no, no, not at all. You can go anywhere in the plane
05:02you like, except the cockpit, of course. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think perhaps the captain
05:08wants to talk to me. Oh, no, wait, wait, please. Oh, just a minute. There's so many things I want
05:14to ask you. I really wouldn't do any good. I wouldn't be able to answer. Oh, just one thing.
05:20Is this some sort of a hospital plane or something? I've told you all I can tell you.
05:27Oh, Lord, what is it? Some awful dream. I'm scared. Oh, Mom, Pop. Someone, please, I'm so scared.
05:41Oh, excuse me, miss. Oh, hi. Hello. I, uh, well, there are only two of us on the whole plane,
05:50so, uh, well, to tell you the truth, I could use some company. So could I. Oh, wait a minute,
05:57I'll fly it over so you can sit down. Oh, thank you. My name is, uh, just a minute. I should have
06:08my, uh, yeah, here's my business card. Herbert Moss. I'm in, uh, I'm with Troy Train and Kenward.
06:17That's, that's an advertising firm. Well, as long as we're talking together, I think I should ask
06:24your name. Me? Oh, it's Ginny. Ginny, she called me. Oh, wait a minute. Let me look in my bag.
06:34There, there ought to be, yeah, here, my identity card. Ginny Wallace. That's me. Lousy picture, huh?
06:46Oh, not at all. Nobody our age takes a bad picture. You, uh, you also didn't seem to be sure of your name,
06:55Ginny. Ginny, right? But don't look so scared, dear. You have company. Why, do you think I went
07:05groping for my business card? I wasn't sure of mine either. No kidding? You weren't? Honest?
07:12Honest. I'll tell you more than that. I don't know how I got on this plane. Do you? No.
07:23Hmm. I can bet you something else. You probably don't know where this plane is headed for, do you?
07:30No, I don't. And the stewardess wouldn't tell me. Or me. Another thing, I've looked through all my
07:39pockets and I can't find any carbon copy of my ticket, luggage checks, anything like that. I, I feel so
07:45scared. You don't think it's like, like, well, like one of those skyjack things and where, where the
07:51hostage is like? I mean, well, I can figure you, but why me? Skyjack? No, I don't know. It's possible,
08:01except. Except what? Well, why don't we know who we are? Remember where we're going. Let's try some
08:10questions. Do you have any brothers or sisters? Sure. Uh, uh, two sisters and a brother. How old are
08:17they? Uh, younger than me. Mary's 14, Margaret's 11, and, uh, Tommy's only seven. And your mother and
08:24father? Pop, Pop died a while back. Mom's alive. You live with the family? No, I, uh, I was gonna say I, I
08:36didn't anymore, but, well, it's going sort of blank again. All right, now let's, let's not push it. Or you.
08:45Let's think about me. Well, uh, we know you work at an advertising agency. What do you do there? I'm an account
08:54executive vice president in charge of Magnum Brands. Well, I bet you live outside the city and travel in commuter
09:00trains with bar cars and all like that. And I, I bet, I bet you're married, right? With kids near my age? Yes, yes,
09:06Brian's at college already, and Adrienne is, yes, yes, of course I'm married, and I live in Greenridge. Wait a
09:15minute. There's, there's a picture of the kids a couple of years ago, and it's my wife, Nina. Here's some other
09:24pictures of the kids. And that's the house. This one too. Oh, beautiful. Oh, whoops, you dropped one. Uh, who's
09:34this? Well, that's my secretary, Barbara. Oh, good Lord. What is it, Mr. Moss? Nothing. No, it's nothing. I, uh, I
09:49forgot to leave her some, some instructions about a meeting. I, I, what, what day is this? I don't know. I don't even
10:00know the day. I have a feeling it's terribly important for us to know just what this day means. To both of us. Oh.
10:12Jenny, what is it? Oh, just the way you said it. You gave me goosebumps all over. I know the feeling. I don't like anything
10:24about this. Look, on a plane like this, there should be more than one hostess. I'm going up front to get some information about
10:32where this plane is going. Why don't you go aft and see if there is another hostess in the galley? You mean, like in the back? Yes, I'm
10:38going to check the pilot. Okay, Mr. Moss. Pilot? Pilot or somebody? I want to talk to you. I demand that you open this door.
10:51This is your captain. Will all passengers please notice that the no-smoking lights are on and that seatbelts be fastened. Please resume
11:01your seats immediately. We are preparing to land. Passengers will resume their seats immediately and buckle their seatbelts. Please
11:09put out all cigarettes. We are preparing to land. Oh, we're falling, Mr. Moss. The plane is falling. You know, it's all right, Jenny.
11:19We're just diving a bit deeply, that's all. I feel kind of sick to my stomach. Sit down. Sit down. That's a girl. Now keep your mouth
11:28open and swallow. Fasten your seatbelts. Hold it tight. Now listen to me. I don't know what you plan to do, but when we land, whatever
11:35it is, I'm getting off this plane. I'd advise you to do the same. I don't know. I mean, I've only got a couple of dollars. Don't worry
11:42about that. I've got money and credit cards. You want to get off with me? Oh, yes. Then the moment I tell you to, snap open your seatbelts and head
11:49with me to the exit. This is your captain. We are about to land. Remain in your seats, as this will be a short stop. Do not unfasten your seatbelts
11:59on land. We shall be taking off immediately. The pig's eyes. What happened? They were down. That's funny. I never heard him drop that
12:10landing gear. Are we all right? As soon as we come to a halt, snap open your seatbelt and follow me. Yes, Mr. Mars. OK, now. I can't. The buckle won't open.
12:26As soon as I get mine. Oh, damn. Oh, I knew something was up. I sure would like to know what the devil is going on. What is it, Mr. Mars?
12:35These damn belts are gimmicked somehow. We're trapped in our seats. Whoever they are, they're not going to let us get off. Who are they? I don't know, Jenny. I'm afraid even to think.
12:50Still, it is a good question. Who are they? Where is this strange plane headed with its cargo of only two passengers? Why is the hostess an elderly woman? And what is the rest of the crew like?
13:12And why have they stopped at wherever they have stopped and and who else or what else is coming aboard? I'll return shortly with act two.
13:34The strange plane rests on the ground, its engines idling easily and nothing happens in their seats. Jenny Wallace and Herb Ross have given up struggling with the seatbelts, which refused to unclasp, pinning them helplessly in their seats. The cockpit door remains closed. The sense of unimaginable and pending action is so palpable that both have dropped their voices almost to a whisper.
14:02Can you see where we are out the window? Nothing. Now rub the window off. I can't reach. I did, but it's just that white mist, sort of like a cloud. I mean, outside. No lights, no movement, you can see? No. What's going to happen to us? I don't know. Who's that? Bring them on board. Who is it? I can't see over the back of the seat. I don't know about the passengers, but it's the stewardess who was up front.
14:31How did she get to the rear of the plane? I don't know. That's it. Mr. Schaefer in K-1, strap him in and... Stewardess? In a moment, Mr. Morris. Miss Newman in S-1 and Mr. Downing in S-2. Make them secure. Stewardess, I demand to be released and let off at this stop. Thank you, boys. Soon as you're out, we'll button up and take off. Stewardess! Do you hear me? I...
14:58Didn't you hear? Why won't you listen? We are in the takeoff run. Please do not smoke and make sure all safety belts are fastened. Not release until a light goes on. Not release? Perhaps who has a chance? Can't you stop it, Mr. Morris? Some way? Yes, I can, Jenny. I think you must be beginning to realize that as well as I do.
15:26Wake up, Danny Schaefer. Wake up, Danny Schaefer. Wake up, Danny Schaefer. Wake up. Where am I? What is this? A plane? Are you quite comfortable, Mr. Schaefer? Who the devil are you? The stewardess. You've got to be kidding. An old dame like you? Hey, what kind of an airline is this, anyhow? At the proper time, you'll know. Excuse me, I have other passengers to attend to.
15:52Wake up, Carol Newman. Carol Newman. Carol Newman. Carol Newman. I don't want to wake up. I don't ever want to wake up. I don't care about that. What am I doing on a plane? Who's this guy next to me? I don't fly tourist. What is it? Let me think.
16:20Wake up, Bruce Downing. Wake up, Bruce Downing.
16:25No. Oh, no, I couldn't. Not now. Not now. I made the big chance. I can't blow it. I can't. Only I have. I know it. Damn motor is still running. It's still...
16:45What? I'm not under the car. I'm on a plane. It's all right. It must be all right. Quite all right, Mr. Downing. I say for the moment, it's quite all right. Where are we headed? On the passage you booked. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to make quite a few preparations.
17:08Hey, wait a minute. Damn. What's the matter with this buckle? He's messing around with it. I tried. Some new safety gimmick, I suppose. Won't release till the seatbelt light goes off. Oh, well. What's the difference? You mind if I smoke? No. If you have a stick, I'll join you.
17:29Oh, no grass, ma'am. I mean, I'm strictly keep off the grass these days. Just straight old filter tip. Did I ask for anything more? You didn't have to. We're two of a kind. Right? What does that mean? We've been down a lot of the same roads. Yeah. I've been down the same roads, I guess. Just a few more of them than you, Sonny.
17:55You weather pretty well. And a couple of years doesn't give you any right to that, Sonny. You can call me Bruce. Bruce... Bruce will do. I'm Carol. I've got a case of the who the hell am I? How did I get here blues too? I was hoping you could clue me in.
18:20About what, for example? This flight. Where we're going. How I got here. You think I'd be much help? You notice what I'm wearing? Yeah. It's nice. Sort of. Yeah, I see what you mean. No use asking you if you've got a ticket. Scarcely. In a negligee, you can pretty well tell everything I've got. I got a blanket from the hostess.
18:50Do you have a ticket? Not that I can find. And you have no idea how or why you're here? No. Well, kind of hazy. But no. Oh, damn. If we could only get out of these seatbelts. What for?
19:12You see that couple sitting down front? The older man and the chick in the jeans? Yeah. I've got a crazy notion they were already on the plane before it landed. Or anyway, before it picked us up. Maybe they have some answers. What about the mean-looking kid with the frizzy upper head? One with a knife he's trying to cut the belt with. I don't think I want to tangle with that character. He's riding the edge of something.
19:40This is your captain. We have now reached our cruising altitude. And for a brief period to our next stop, we suggest you loosen your seatbelts, if you so desire, and stretch out a little. Smoking is permitted in the rear half of the plane.
19:55Mr. Maude? Yes, Jenny? What did you mean about me beginning to realize what's happening as well as you do? Aren't you beginning to remember things? I'm not sure. It's like a bad dream. Things that couldn't really happen have happened to me, only... And the worst of all is... I don't know how to say it.
20:26You don't have to, Jenny. I know. I feel the same way. Sooner or later, we're going to have to face it. Jenny, my poor, dear little girl. Excuse me for breaking up the love scene, but I'm looking for a couple of answers, ma'am. There's no smoking in this section of the plane.
20:47You gotta be putting me on, man. There's five of us here. If that's all there are, who cares? Remember, two are lit up. In the proper section. And the lady beside me doesn't smoke. Oh, you mean Lovechild here? Don't let her give you no runaround, Dad. She not only smokes, turns on. But she's a user, I can tell.
21:08Put that cigarette out, punk, or I'll run you aft and stick your head down one of the bowls. Tough guy, huh? Still feel so tough? A knife! Oh, Mr. Mohawk! Take it easy, Jenny. I don't think he wants to try to use it. It's just supposed to scare me and try to prove what a big man he is.
21:28Hey, now, don't ever kid yourself. I got nothing to lose. Now, let's answer me a couple of questions. Such as? Where's this plane headed for? I don't know. Now, don't give me that! You were here before we got... Before... Well, however we got here, you must know something. Don't you know why you're here? Hey, man, would I be asking you if I did? Hold it, what do you two want?
21:56The same thing you do, apparently. Information. Our seatbelts. Mr. Mohawk, we can loosen them now. Yes, Jenny, I already have. Come on, come on, let's start cooling us in. What is this, a prison ship or something? And why would you think that? Will you lay out... Hey! Hey, what's the idea to get up here wearing? I don't know. It's what I had on when I woke up here on the plane. You mean you two were shacking up and he brought you aboard in your fancy nightshirt? No, she doesn't mean that.
22:26The first time I met this lady was on this plane. I don't even know how I got here myself. And why don't you put that knife away? And why don't you cool it? I ain't letting this out of my hand until I get a slant on what this whole gig is, see? My name is Herbert Moss. This is Jenny Wallace. Who cares about names? We should get acquainted since we're all in the same fix.
22:51Well, all right. I'm Danny. Danny... I don't know. Somebody must have slipped me a Mickey or something before I got carted out of here. I... I can't think.
23:05Jenny and I had trouble remembering who we were. How about you two?
23:10A kind of a voice whispered my name to me.
23:14Yeah, me too.
23:15That's how I knew my name.
23:16Yeah, yeah, right on, right on. Same with me. Like I was... Like I was coming to, uh... Wake up, Danny. Uh... Yeah, yeah, the old bag in the uniform. She said, Schaefer. That's it. Danny Schaefer. Downing. Bruce Downing. That's me.
23:33And the voice said, Carol Millman. Millman!
23:36Oh, well, great. Now we're all buddies, okay? But look, I'm asking you, Dad, what's going on? What do you know?
23:42I told you nothing.
23:44Don't give me that. I heard you say something to the love chick here when I came up. Something about face it. Face what?
23:50Doesn't anybody know? Or guess?
23:55It's all just bits and pieces. Things that won't go together. I can't remember it straight.
24:01Yeah, I'd like that for me, too.
24:04Mr. Downing?
24:06Yeah, that's about the size of it. One thing I do... Uh, it doesn't tie in right away. How about you, Dad?
24:17Well, I'm beginning to remember a lot more than I want to.
24:20All right, now, what does that mean?
24:22Answer me a question first. Do you remember anything?
24:27Yeah, I remember plenty. I've held up stores, run numbers, lifted, hoisted cars, you name it, ever since I was 14 years old.
24:37But only to put something in my stomach.
24:40The last thing I do remember is I finally went for the big one. Murder one.
24:47I was robbing a store, and a cop tried to jump me. And before I could think, I... I had the shiv in him, and I knew he'd bought it.
24:58So that's to clear the air. I don't really care about none of the rest of you. All I want to know is what am I doing in this bleeping plain, and where are we headed, and how do we get off of here?
25:09And this time, I expect an answer, Nance. Because I think you know.
25:14I don't know exactly. I'm only guessing, for two reasons.
25:21Spill them.
25:23First, you all heard Danny. He's done plenty to be ashamed of, even if he wouldn't admit it.
25:31I think the first part of that statement is what all of us have in common.
25:35We're all deeply ashamed of something, or things, we've done. That's number one.
25:42What would I be ashamed of? Or me? I didn't do anything wrong.
25:46Shut up! What's the other thing we got in common?
25:50Take a look at your windbreaker, Danny.
25:53Yeah, what about it?
25:55There's a hole in the front.
25:56So what?
25:57Unzip it. Look at your shirt underneath. Or pull up your shirt and look at your chest.
26:02Hey, come on. What are you trying to prove?
26:04I'm trying to answer your questions for you. And for all of us.
26:09Okay.
26:12Hey. I'm all blood. What happened?
26:16I'm guessing that police officer you knifed had a partner and that he shot you.
26:20Right through the hearts.
26:23I got a hole in my chest.
26:26Big slug. At least a 38.
26:30If I hit like that, I must be...
26:33Oh, no. No, no. I can't be.
26:36I'm afraid you are, Danny.
26:39I'm afraid all of us are.
26:42You mean we're dead?
26:45This is your captain.
26:47Will you please be sure that you are seated and have fastened your seatbelts?
26:52Please extinguish all cigarettes. We are coming in for a landing now.
26:58Better fasten up, everyone.
27:00What for? Not me. I'm getting off this plane when it lands, understand?
27:03They won't allow you to. You might as well follow orders.
27:06If he increases the pitch anymore, you'll be rolling all over the floor. You could break your neck.
27:10What difference does it make if I'm dead?
27:12I don't know that for sure.
27:15I'm only guessing because...
27:18Because I think I remember that...
27:22I am dead.
27:34Has Herb guessed the truth?
27:36And if he has, what are the passengers who ride this strange plane headed for at this next landing?
27:43That is, supposing the pilot can pull the plane out of the screaming dive
27:47that has sent Dan scrambling for a seat and, for the moment,
27:51the welcome restraint of the seatbelt.
27:54I'll be back in a moment with Act 3.
28:04The Great Plane
28:08Again, the great plane lies earthbound, or at least not in the act of flying.
28:14Again, swirling mists mask whatever may lie outside the cabin where five people sit imprisoned now.
28:22And again, the motherly but elusive stewardess superintends the boarding of new passengers,
28:28this time, only one, who is seated in the very rear.
28:33And now, with his arrival, there is a new surprise.
28:37Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?
28:41Hey, look, I want to talk to you! I want to get off!
28:44Please! Please help us! We want to get off!
28:47Be quiet and listen to me, please. I have something to explain.
28:51This will be the last stop before your destination.
28:55The passenger who has just come on board is the Reverend Dr. Pell.
29:00He will join you as soon as you are airborne.
29:03I will not be with you for the rest of the flight.
29:06May I wish you all goodbye and good luck.
29:18Wake up, Morgan Bell. Wake up, Morgan Bell. Wake up, Morgan Bell.
29:25Oh, my beloved father, I do remember that article of the Acts of Religion,
29:30which does concern the wicked, and such be void of a lively faith.
29:36Must I then be denied the partaking of the body of Christ in the use of the Lord's Supper?
29:43What happened?
29:44Nothing. We just stopped climbing and leveled off.
29:47Then that means the seatbelt light should be going on any minute,
29:51and then the horn will tell us that we can get off and get out of here, right?
29:54I suppose so, for all that means.
29:57Hey, look, we ain't dead. I ain't buying any of that bull, understand?
30:01Now, I gotta get to a doc and fix me up.
30:03Won't do any good. Too late.
30:06How do you know? I mean, what makes you so sure?
30:10Because I have a hole in my chest to match yours.
30:15Look.
30:16Your shirt is covered with blood. How awful.
30:21I had everything.
30:24A loving wife, fine children, successful career.
30:31I'm 48 years old.
30:34And my secretary is 22.
30:40I took advantage of her.
30:42Made her my mistress.
30:44Promised her a marriage I knew I had no intention of going through with.
30:49I was just leaving her apartment when the young man she should have married,
30:56emotionally insane, shot me.
31:01The last thing I remember was the bullet tearing into my chest.
31:06And then the blackness.
31:10That's why I know I am dead and why I am on this plane.
31:15Why all of us are.
31:16Why? Why me?
31:19He said it before.
31:21We all have something to be ashamed of.
31:23What was your scene, man?
31:25Mention anything an actor can do to claw his way to the top and I've tried it.
31:30I won't embarrass little Jenny by naming him.
31:33I wouldn't want to hurt a lady's feelings.
31:36I once thought I had talent as a designer.
31:40But I had another talent that men were more interested in.
31:43It was with quite a lot of money I found.
31:47It was after I'd been married and my husband walked out on me when I had a kid.
31:52I'm not excusing myself.
31:55But I did have to bring up my baby.
31:58Until she died.
32:00And by that time, as you can see, I wasn't all that young anymore.
32:05So, so much in demand.
32:08And what was there left to live for?
32:14I had uppers, downers, everything still.
32:17Instead of my usual tool before going to bed alone, I emptied the bottle.
32:24Excuse the hearts and flowers.
32:27But it seems to be let's take our hair down time.
32:32But I thought you'd broken out of the trap.
32:35I had.
32:37At the expense of my best friend.
32:39Yeah, who?
32:41An actor friend who was playing the part in Uranus.
32:44Who got me the job as understudy.
32:47His first break too.
32:50I slipped him a Mickey before the opening night performance.
32:54That's how I went on and got all the reviews.
32:58I thought I was a big star already had it made.
33:02Bought myself a sports job and became a party boy.
33:06Invited now instead of hired.
33:11I turned that car upside down trying to make a right angle curve at 90.
33:17Damn right I'm dead and I know it.
33:21And maybe I'm glad.
33:24I...
33:26I killed my baby.
33:30I deserve to die.
33:32Hush, Janie. Janie, hush.
33:35I loved him that bad.
33:37I loved you so.
33:40I wanted to be married.
33:43But Mom wouldn't give her consent.
33:46She thought he was too old for me.
33:50I thought if I was having his baby,
33:54Mom would have to agree about marriage.
33:58I waited till after three months.
34:02And I told her.
34:04Only he walked out on me.
34:07And it was too late.
34:10Too late for the hospital to take care of me.
34:16So I...
34:18I didn't want his baby anymore.
34:21And I went to...
34:23Not even a doctor.
34:29It was murder.
34:32I deserve to die.
34:35We all do.
34:37And Mr. Moss is right.
34:39That's why we're here.
34:41And that's why we're all going...
34:44straight to hell.
34:47Oh, no.
34:49No, sir. Not me.
34:50Now, what do you think you're going to do?
34:52I've been looking. The door to the cockpit is open.
34:54The shiv's enough. I'm going in there and skyjack this plane.
34:57I'm gonna make that pilot turn back.
34:59The belts are open. Come on, Bruce.
35:01We better get him.
35:02Do you think there's a chance?
35:03I don't want that crazy kid to...
35:06What is it, Danny?
35:09Danny, what's the matter?
35:11There's no one in there.
35:14No one.
35:18There's no one flying the plane.
35:21Good Lord.
35:24I'm afraid not, Miss Newen.
35:27Not yours or any of ours.
35:30What do you mean, Father?
35:33I'm not a father.
35:34But you're still a minister. You could help us.
35:36I wish I could, my dear.
35:39I wish that with all my heart, but...
35:42You see, I am one of you.
35:45I've been listening to all of you, and I know now that's why I'm here.
35:50I no longer have any right to the name of a minister.
35:53What brought you here to join us, sir?
35:56The greatest sin of all.
35:58I renounced my God.
36:01I spent the last four years in Vietnam.
36:04I saw such suffering and misery without reason that...
36:08Ah!
36:10But I was too busy then to think of the scars it left on the mind.
36:15I was only returning to the United States,
36:17wanting to pray for those poor people I'd known
36:20and for the agony of our country and all the world that...
36:25that suddenly I found there were no more words.
36:30There was no more belief. Everything had been wrung from me.
36:35And my faith was gone.
36:37How did you die?
36:39By God's hand.
36:42I was passing a crowd,
36:44lost in my own thoughts and the struggle in my mind, and...
36:48A policeman came to me and said there was a boy on a ledge,
36:51threatening to kill himself unless they found him a minister.
36:57I went up to that high place,
36:59and out on that ledge, and...
37:02I asked him to come in.
37:05And he said to me,
37:07Father, why should I come back to a world where there is no God?
37:14Tell me, convince me that there is one, and I will come in.
37:21Where were the words of comfort that can only be spoken from the soul?
37:26I, who had picked this mission to devote my life to,
37:29had none to offer.
37:32And the blackness hit me.
37:35I felt myself reeling, and like Lucifer, I fell headlong into eternal damnation.
37:44I wonder whose is the greatest sin.
37:49And does it matter, after all?
37:53I'd guess that religion has touched me less than any one of you.
37:57But I still have hope.
37:59Hey, man, what are you talking about?
38:01You're the one who put the whammy on us from the beginning.
38:04You're the one who first put us all behind the eight ball.
38:06Whatever all of us did, we were human.
38:10Human, born to make mistakes.
38:13Big or little.
38:16If we didn't, we'd be God.
38:20Or gods.
38:23Each of us carries our private hell within us.
38:28I cannot conceive of anything beyond that as punishment.
38:33For the whole idea of God surely means compassion.
38:41What's that?
38:42We're landing.
38:43Without any approach? In mid-air?
38:46What does it mean? Hey, help me.
38:48Hey, knock it off, Danny.
38:49Ain't you scared?
38:50Sure, but not so much after what Mr. Moss said.
38:53The plane's coming to a halt.
38:54Bruce, you said we were too over kind.
38:57Yeah.
38:58Then can I hang on to you? I'm terrified.
39:04Sit down, everyone. Let's not waste time.
39:07Who are you?
39:08Traffic control, of course.
39:10Are we in hell?
39:12Not yet.
39:13May I ask where we are?
39:15This is sort of a halfway station.
39:18We have your dossiers.
39:20You have all made mistakes of greater or lesser value.
39:24That's neither here nor there.
39:27You have reached what is usually called the point of no return.
39:31That is, the point on a journey where you are exactly halfway.
39:36And so you have a choice.
39:38Do you wish to continue?
39:40Or would you like to go back to where you were before the moment of finite death?
39:45You mean we are not condemned everlastingly?
39:48No one has judged you as yet but yourselves.
39:52None of you returns to face an easy life.
39:55But if you want to, you may.
39:59You mean there is a God who offers us a second chance?
40:04Of course.
40:06Everyone deserves that.
40:08Don't you think?
40:16I wonder if the memory of this tale will haunt you.
40:20And if, perhaps, as it does,
40:23that mistake, that hurtful or even vicious action you may have taken
40:28may give you a moment's pause to reconsider
40:32and perhaps to try to repair the damage.
40:36For all of us, there is a second chance.
40:39At least once.
40:41I'll be back shortly.
40:46The Reckoning
40:55Our cast included Richard Krenna, Janet Waldo, Casey Kasem, Virginia Gregg, and Sam Edwards.
41:01The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown.
41:05Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by Anheuser-Busch, Inc.,
41:10Brewer's of Budweiser, and General Electric.
41:13This is E.G. Marshall inviting you to return to our Mystery Theater
41:17for another adventure in the macabre.
41:20Until next time, pleasant dreams.