FX:
Ocean Waves / tolling bell
Announcer:
Listen to the waves. Listen to the bell. Listen to the WEIRD CIRCLE.
SFX: Tolling bell / ocean waves
ANNOUNCER:
Out of the past, phantoms of a world gone by speak again the immortal tale : Frankenstein.
SFX:
Wind
VICTOR:
The wind howling outside my lonely home is my only companion. All else is quiet here as I sit by my window in the parlor writing this document for the scientific world. Be warned you doctors and scientists who come after me; be warned that man must not experiment with the secrets of life.
VICTOR: My experiences started in the University of Manchester where I was studying natural history. It was after class May 22nd 18 hundred and 18, that professor Waldman, my close dear friend Henry Claval, and myself were in the laboratory of the university (fades)
PROFESSOR:
Victor Frankenstein, your persistence amazes me; someday I shall sit at your feet and allow you to teach me.
VICTOR:
Thank you professor Waldman, but the whole subject of the structure of man has always been too clouded in mysticism.
HENRY: Well frankly Victor, I prefer mysticism.
VICTOR:
That's because you're a mystic Henry.
PROFESSOR:
Why Henry's no more a mystic than I am. He just loves to avoid arduous work.
HENRY:
Oh, translating that means I'm lazy, eh professor?
PROFESSOR:
Well, if you prefer to put it that way. I rather think of you as a student who's nervous structure does not take kindly to natural history.
WALLA:
all chuckle
VICTOR:
The professor's kinder to you than you are to yourself Henry.
HENRY: Well, if I worked as hard as you do Victor, I should probably wear that same gaunt sleepless look that you carry about.
VICTOR:
Well, my experiment will be finished tonight. And then I'll manage the eight hours sleep that other men manage.
PROFESSOR:
The secret experiment that will be finished tonight, huh?
HENRY:
Well then, will you tell us just exactly what you're doing in the basement at home.
VICTOR:
I'll tell the entire world. As a matter of fact I stayed after class tonight Professor Waldman to ask you to join me this evening in the basement of our place to watch the completion of my work.
HENRY:
Well how about me?
VICTOR:
I don't think I dare invite more than one Henry. And the professor's more interested in this type of procedure than you are.
PROFESSOR:
I shall be delighted Victor.
HENRY: Just the best friend who never knows what's going on in his own home, that's all.
VICTOR:
It's not that, Henry. But I thought you'd entertain Elizabeth for me, while the professor and I were at work.
HENRY: Entertaining Elizabeth will be a delightful favor, old boy. You know, I think you trust me too much with her. Have you ever met Victor's fianc?, professor Waldman? She's one of the most charming... (fades)
VICTOR:
Yes, Elizabeth was one of the most charming, beautiful women I'd ever known, I had been in love with her from childhood. But even my love for Elizabeth couldn't dim my passionate zeal for the work I was doing. It was eight o'clock that evening. Henry, Elizabeth and I were seated in the parlor Elizabeth was saying... (fades)
ELIZABETH:
I'll be so glad, Victor darling, when all this is over. If you only knew how tired you look.
VICTOR:
: The minute my work is done, successfully or unsuccessfully, I promise you Elizabeth - we'll be married and off to Switzerland before Henry has time to lock up this place.
HENRY: But first we find out about the secret in the basement.
VICTOR:
Henry's being eaten up by curiosity.
ELIZABETH:
I don't blame him. I'm suffering pangs of "what's it all about" too.
VICTOR:
Well, you'll both know soon. I wonder where professor Waldman is. He's late.
ELIZABETH:
He'll be here soon, Victor. Stop pacing the floor, sweetheart.
VICTOR:
I think I'll start my work downstairs. (away) Send the professor down when he arrives, will you darling?
ELIZABETH: We'll come down ourselves and take a look around, or will I turn into a pillar of salt for peeking?
VICTOR:
Nobody ever turned into a pillar of salt for peeking Beth, it was for looking back.
HENRY:
Oh, nothing like a good practical working knowledge of the bible for scientific experiments... starts the night off right... (fades)
VICTOR:
Yes, I thought jokingly of that paragraph from the bible then, "and she was turned into a pillar of salt" . But what about a man who looks back? There is no ready reference for him, or for me. I went downstairs to my laboratory at a little past eight... opened the door and started to tinker around to pass the time more quickly . My every sense was alive... taught... waiting... of the sense of what was to come.
SFX: Knocking at door.
VICTOR:
I heard a knock on the side door which led me from my laboratory directly to the forest which bordered Manchester. I looked out and...
PROFESSOR:
Good evening Victor
VICTOR:
Oh, did Elizabeth tell you to come down this way professor?
PROFESSOR: No, I found the entrance to your laboratory quite by myself.
SFX:
Door closed
VICTOR:
May I help you with your coat sir?
PROFESSOR: No, no no.. you proceed with your work, nothing like trivialities to annoy a scientist at work.... Ah... there we are.
VICTOR:
Follow me, professor in the back room and you'll see for yourself what this is all about.
PROFESSOR:
Well I feel that I'm in for a most exhilarating evening, I wish I had more students fashioned in your mold Victor.
VICTOR:
Well professor, here is my...
PROFESSOR:
(gasp) Why... what's this? A full sized replica of a man.
VICTOR:
Yes. Only he isn't full sized. He's fashioned on a grander scale. I should say this creature, standing up, would be approximately 8 feet 2 inches tall.
PROFESSOR:
Well, you should have been an artist Victor, he's a perfect reproduction. What did you make him out of? Wood? Clay?
VICTOR:
Animal flesh.
PROFESSOR: Flesh?
VICTOR:
Feel him.
PROFESSOR:
(oh) He feels like the body of a dead man.
VICTOR:
Or the body of a man who hasn't as yet been brought to life. This body is complete in every detail. Heart... lungs... teeth... even the fine nervous system.
PROFESSOR:
(gaspy 'err') Interesting , yes, interesting. How about the brain cells...
VICTOR:
Yes, adult brain cells. I think he's quite handsome, don't you.
PROFESSOR:
Well, each man to his own taste. He's the best reproduction of a man I've ever seen, but actually - his face is hideous. As a plastic surgeon, my dear Victor, I can't give you much credit. Well, what do you intend to do with this hulk?
SFX:
Test tube with liquid picked up.
VICTOR:
You see this fluid here in this test tube?
PROFESSOR: Yes.
VICTOR:
I fill the hypodermic needle with it.
SFX:
slurp sound
VICTOR:
And now... now I'm going to inject the full eight ounces into the vein... Directly above his heart.
PROFESSOR:
But why.
VICTOR:
Why? Watch! (pause) You see professor, quite by accident I stumbled on the secret of life. I've been bringing small one celled creatures to life for quite some time.
PROFESSOR: The secret of life.
VICTOR:
Within 30 seconds after this injection this creature will live.
PROFESSOR:
... you're trying to play God, Victor - it's heresy!
VICTOR:
It's science. I'm making a new race by far finer than the present one... larger in structure... stronger... heavier... healthier. A race able to live on nuts and berries... with a greater capacity for feeling...
PROFESSOR:
Victor... for the love of heaven don't go through with this experiment no man living has the right to tamper with the secret of life. You've created a monster on that floor... you've no idea what will happen if you go through with this.
VICTOR: Watch professor... the injection.
PROFESSOR:
I only hope and pray this is a failure.
VICTOR:
It can't be. (long pause) His eyes moved.
SFX:
Heavy breathing (under)
VICTOR:
Watch him professor... He's like a baby... first realizing life... his hands touch the floor... his eyes are trying to focus on the world around him...
PROFESSOR:
... he's hideous...
VICTOR:
Yes... he IS hideous, I made the skin too much like parchment I'm afraid.
PROFESSOR:
Victor! Get rid of that monster.
Monster:
VICTOR:
He's trying to stand up...
PROFESSOR:
If that mind which you created is a twisted one... have you any idea what kind of horror you've let loose in England? As a humanitarian I feel it's my Christian duty to do THIS NOW! (with efforts)
VICTOR:
Put that knife down professor...
Monster:
PROFESSOR:
No... I can't let... Oooooooo!
Monster:
PROFESSOR:
No... he's got me in the clutch of his hands...
Monster:
PROFESSOR:
Command him to stop this Victor...
VICTOR:
Stop fighting him professor... he's frightened. He has the same reactions as a child who grabs and won't let loose.
PROFESSOR:
Let me go monster! Ooooooh
VICTOR:
Stop! Don't go out that door
PROFESSOR:
(under rest of scene)
VICTOR:
Put the professor down. Don't go out that door.
WALLA:
(Cries fade into distance)
VICTOR:
The monster left my laboratory through the side entrance into the forest. Carrying the incredibly mangled body of the professor with him. I rushed out of my laboratory after him, but the creature was faster than I and he disappeared from few.
SFX:
out of breath sounds
VICTOR:
I returned to my laboratory, and destroyed all evidence of the creature's manufacture. I burned the blueprints from which I had made his body. Then carefully I locked my laboratory and went upstairs to join Henry Claval and Elizabeth. I must have looked wild eyed as I entered the room (fade)
Walla:
Laughter of BETH and HENRY:
ELIZABETH:
Henry that's most amusing, you tell the best anecdotes in all of England.
HENRY:
Oh you flatter me Elizabeth...
ELIZABETH:
Oh Victor, you're through sooner than we expected.
VICTOR:
Ah...
ELIZABETH:
Darling, what's the matter?
HENRY:
Didn't the professor show up?
VICTOR:
Nothing's the matter... my experiment was... was a failure.
ELIZABETH:
Oh...
HENRY:
But the professor?
VICTOR:
He never showed up. Beth?.... Henry... I want to go away.
ELIZABETH:
Of course darling we will as soon as Henry can get the house locked up we'll...
VICTOR:
I... I don't want to wait. I want to leave at once tonight... please tonight, Beth. We can get married before we cross the channel and then go to Switzerland.
ELIZABETH:
But it's almost midnight now darling...
VICTOR:
What's the difference?! (calmer) Please Beth, if you love me...
HENRY:
But why tonight Victor?
VICTOR:
Henry... you've no idea what I've been through. I have to get away at once.
ELIZABETH:
Of course darling, if you insist. Anything you want.
VICTOR:
And we'll be married before daylight. Darling... darling Beth... I know a little minister whom we can awaken... (fades)
VICTOR:
And so Beth and I were married that evening in a little chapel on the coast. Then the three of us fled to Berne Switzerland. I refused to have anything to do with the civilized world. No newspapers, no word of home... Just the peace and quiet of the Swiss mountains. Henry and Elizabeth both tried to learn of the events that occurred in my laboratory that evening. But I never broke my silence on that subject. After the first tries they refrained from asking me about it again. It was in the middle of the fourth month of our visit when Henry and I were sitting on the terrace of the little house in the mountains...
SFX:
Bird noises up
VICTOR:
Beth was out picking berries.. When Henry suddenly .. (fade out)
HENRY:
Victor... I'm your closest friend, I tried to keep silent about it... Well Victor, the day after we left England I bought a newspaper..
VICTOR:
Did you Henry?
HENRY:
Yes, I saw this clipping on the front page. I couldn't very well miss it.
VICTOR:
What clipping.
HENRY:
This one. The horribly mangled remains of professor Waldman was found on Beckman hill, the identity of the unknown murderer is being sought by Scotland Yard.
VICTOR:
Poor professor Waldman. I'd no idea.
HENRY:
Hadn't you?
VICTOR:
No. What are you trying to say to me Henry?
HENRY:
Your leaving England so suddenly that very night. Your fear of being discovered. The secret experiment. Well, it all seemed to add up to some kind of strange connection with this clipping. Now if you're in trouble victor, you can depend on me, I'll stay by your side...
VICTOR:
I'm not in trouble. I'm just tired... terribly tired.
HENRY:
...and you know nothing of the professor?
VICTOR:
Absolutely nothing.
HENRY:
He didn't come to our chateau that evening?
VICTOR:
I told you he didn't then... stop questioning me!
ELIZABETH:
(away) Victor?! VICTOR!!
VICTOR:
We're out here Beth.
ELIZABETH:
Oh, I just had a horrible experience! Oh darling, I'm so glad to see you.
VICTOR: You look pale Beth, sit down right here next to me.
HENRY:
What happened Beth.
Elizabeth:
Well I was walking in the woods not far from here. Well I looked up and saw ... well I saw a man... sort of a man standing over me...
HENRY: Well, men aren't so bad... that is if you happen to know the right ones... and you do.
Elizabeth:
I'm not joshing Henry... he wasn't exactly a man. He was twice the height of anyone I've ever seen and his skin looked like dried parchment. ... it's incredible but I think I've seen a monster.
Victor:
Monster?
Elizabeth:
Yes, I ran away. He didn't follow me he just stared after me... watching me... you do believe me don't you?
Victor: A monster stared after you?
Elizabeth:
Look... look.. Henry... Victor... Through the trees right out there... LOOK! There he is AGAIN!
SFX:
Ocean Waves and Tolling bell...
MID PROGRAM BREAK - 13:00
Weird Circle #26 "Frankenstein" - Part 2
SFX:
Ocean Waves and Tolling bell...
VICTOR: Yes, the monster stood there - silhouetted against the trees. The monster which I had created, standing like an evil blot of flesh and bone. ... moved in the darkening twilight... and then suddenly - phantomlike - disappeared.
SFX: Forest Birds under
VICTOR:
Beth and I both watched me as I darted from the Piazza after the disappearing creature in the back woods. As I drew near to the heavily wooded section giant footprints in the soft mud about me, showed the path ahead. The sun was sinking in the west, and the last orange pin points of light needled my flesh until every sense within me was tingling with the expectations of seeing my living horror. Then I realized I was unarmed. Every crooked tree, each twisted branch which obstructed my path appeared to be his form.
SFX:
walking through brush.
VICTOR:
I heard the crackling of a branch and the moving of a form on the velvet moss.
MONSTER:
I thought you'd come creator.
VICTOR:
You...
MONSTER:
Are you frightened... creator?
VICTOR:
You dare talk to me.
MONSTER:
Please don't turn away from me... please.
Victor:
Let me go.
MONSTER:
I mean no harm to you.. listen to me, Victor Frankenstein. You must listen to me. You created me... You owe me that much.
VICTOR:
I owe you nothing murderer.
MONSTER:
Why am I a murderer? Because you created a form so horrible... a face so distorted... that no man can look upon me and call me friend? I'm an outcast. You can save me.
Victor: Let me go.
MONSTER:
Not until you hear my story. Sit down, creator.
Victor: My arm! Let me go!
MONSTER:
I wondered through the streets of London... That first day... Children screamed in the streets. People flocked together, trying to kill me... and I was lonely and hungry.
Victor: How did you follow me here?
Monster: Not so long ago I returned to my birthplace... the laboratory. I broke in and discovered your identity. First I fled to Scotland, and lived outside of a cottage. That's how I learned how to speak. An old blind man was teaching a young French girl to speak English. I listened to the lessons... from the open windows...
VICTOR:
Now what do you expect of me?
MONSTER:
A companion... a woman of the same species with my defects.. one who will be my friend.. This... This being... you must create.
VICTOR:
No! I'll not do it.
MONSTER:
You must! Every man's entitled to a wife.
VICTOR:
No!
MONSTER:
You must! If you create her for me, I'll take her with me into the far wastes and no one will see either of us again... ever.
VICTOR:
How will you live?
MONSTER:
On fruits and berries. We'll manage together... please.. You can't deny me this.
VICTOR:
..a mate.. a monster's mate.
MONSTER:
You will? You will! I swear I'll never harm another human... never, creator.. if you'll only grant me just one companion.
VICTOR:
And if I refuse?..
MONSTER:
..if you refuse.. even a brain that you have made, creator.. might become twisted and distorted.. (fade)
VICTOR:
And so that night in the forest, I made a devil's bargain. I bargained to create a monster's mate. Perhaps another murderer. How could I know? The monster swore to live in the forest and wait a year or two years if necessary, and upon completion of my work he would take his companion away. But if I broke my promise, he swore revenge. And so I started work. I searched Paris for the necessary equipment, built a shack in the woods about a mile away from our challis. Three months I worked... three solid months... shaping her who was to be his mate.
SFX: wind up and under
VICTOR:
And then one night, it was windy outside, I thought the wind had blown the door open when...
SFX:
Door flies open
HENRY:
(coming closer) Victor! Victor, I'm sorry I had to disturb you.
VICTOR:
Is it Beth?
HENRY:
No, not Beth, she's fine and sends her love... it's the townspeople. Your activities have stirred up a lot of curiosity.
VICTOR:
Oh, the fools!
HENRY: Well, I can't blame them, especially after the rumors which have been going around.. ..rumors that... Victor, you of the monster in these forests. You've known of him all along! People have seen him and connect him with you. Mothers in the village are frightened for their children.
VICTOR:
I know nothing.
HENRY: Look... I'm only trying to help you..
VICTOR: I know nothing I tell you!
HENRY:
But the men have banded together, they're going to make a raid on you here, to burn your laboratory down and to find the monster who lives in these woods.
VICTOR:
The can't, they mustn't!
HENRY:
Oh, what devil's work are you carrying on man.. I'm trying to help you. Oh Victor, will you please let your friends be your friends.
VICTOR:
Henry will you go back to Beth and leave me alone.
HENRY:
Beth is safe at home, you're in danger and I won't leave your side this night my friend.
SFX: Wind up a bit
VICTOR:
Then be prepared...
HENRY:
Prepared for what?
VICTOR:
You've guessed many of the reasons for my secrecy.
HENRY:
Then... there is a monster.
VICTOR: At school I stumbled on the secret of life. I was trying to create a superior race. I was a fool and I created him instead.
HENRY:
Then he does live.
VICTOR:
Yes he lives.
HENRY: Professor Waldman. What happened to professor Waldman?
VICTOR:
The night I created the monster, Waldman became frightened. He screamed.. attempted to kill the creature.. The creature, like a child, warded him off, and... and then tore him to pieces in front of me. I couldn't stop him. The monster had killed before it had really begun to live.
HENRY:
Then what?
VICTOR:
The monster left the basement through the side entrance, carrying the professor's corpse. I had no choice. I had to leave the country.
HENRY:
..Then what are you doing with that creature now?
VICTOR:
Fulfilling a promise. Follow me into my cabin and I'll show you. How soon do you think the townsfolk will be here.
HENRY:
Oh, within two hours or so. They're meeting in the square in town.
VICTOR:
Come in.
SFX:
Door closed - wind out
HENRY:
What?... A woman.
VICTOR: Yes, a woman. The monster's mate. His friend. I promised him a friend, and in return he promises to hide himself forever from the world.
HENRY:
A devil's bargain Victor.
VICTOR:
A bargain I must keep for all our sakes.
HENRY:
But the monster proved himself a murderer time and time again. Why in London, after the death of professor Waldman.
VICTOR:
Time and time again...
HENRY:
But how do you know the mate won't be even more vicious than he. You'll let loose an avalanche of hatred. Oh... destroy her before you bring her to life.
VICTOR: Yes... avalanche of hatred..
HENRY:
Look, you've no time to waste... set fire to this cabin quickly Victor, set fire to the cabin and come away... but man alive you cannot go through with this thing...
VICTOR:
But the promise
HENRY:
It's a promise to a fiend. He'll be your death and ours Victor. Oh hurry man... hurry if you've any love for Beth.
VICTOR:
I've been insane with grief and fear for Beth and you. Go back to Beth Henry, at once and wait for me.
Henry:
And you?
VICTOR:
I'll... I'll set fire to the cabin as soon as I destroy my books. I... I'll join you later.
Henry:
Well hurry friend. We'll meet you home as soon as you can make it.
VICTOR: For one full hour I worked feverishly, I soaked the shack in oil, then taking a taper from the vase I lit the fire. The fire started quickly.
SFX:
Fire under
VICTOR:
I placed my books in the very center of the room and then opened the door of my shack. The experiment was at an end. And I felt free. The monster's mate would never live. I walked out and then I saw him. His face contorted with rage.
MONSTER:
(a long scream of anger) My wife... my only chance to have a friend. Arrrrrg. My only chance...
SFX: Fire up and out.
VICTOR:
I knew then what was in his mind as he raced through the forest in front of me. The blazing shack was a beacon of light and I saw his huge misshapen form far outdistance me. He was faster than I, taller than I, and covered more territory. Racing, running blindly through the forest I reached my home. The door was flung open.. Henry mutilated and torn stumbled blindly toward me..
HENRY:
(whimpering) Vic... tor... the... the monster...
VICTOR:
Henry... Henry.. what...
HENRY:
I tried Victor... I tried...
VICTOR:
Henry... you...
HENRY:
Beth... Beth.. alone... with...
VICTOR:
Beth?
Henry:
Upstairs...
VICTOR:
BETH!! Beth, I'm coming darling... I'm coming! I'm coming upstairs...
MONSTER:
ELIZABETH:
HENRY!!! VICTOR!! Help me... somebody help me!! Help MEEE
ELIZABETH:
I'm coming darling, I'm coming... if you kill her I'll... (long pause) BETH!!! (shock and horror... then tenderly) Beth. Beth, oh my darling. (anguish) my darling. Oh Beth no. No... Both you and Henry. Both dead.
MONSTER: You too are alone, creator.
VICTOR: Yes. Both of them were dead. All my dear ones gone from me now. And I'm alone. The wind howling outside my window is my only companion. All else is quiet as I sit by my window writing this document. I am dying of loneliness and fear.
SFX: wind up
VICTOR:
Shunned by the world, hated by everyone, I know I am waiting for the monster's return. And he having eluded the world will return when I've suffered my full share of misery as he has suffered his.
SFX:
Waves up and under
ANNOUNCER:
From the time worn pages of the past we have brought you this story: Frankenstein.
ANNOUNCER: Bell keeper... pull the bell...
SFX:
Waves and tolling bell.