SFX:

Thunder

ANNOUNCER:

The Strange Dr. Weird.

MUSIC:

short creepy intro

SFX:

Door opening

Dr. WEIRD:

Good evening, come in won't you?

SFX:

door closing

Dr. WEIRD:

Why whats the matter? You seem a bit nervous. Perhaps the cemetery outside this house has upset you but there are things far worse than cemeteries. For instance a woman with murder in her heart, as in my story tonight. A story I call: The Voice Of Death.

MUSIC:

short transition

SFX:

Thunder

Dr. WEIRD:

My story The Voice of Death begins in the snow covered wilderness of Canada. In a high narrow canyon a a man and woman on skis sit resting on the trunk of a fallen tree catching their breath.

GEROLD:

Blanche, I can't tell you how sorry I am that uncle John didn't leave you anything in his will.

Blanche:

Oh there's nothing to be sorry about Gerold. After all I was only your uncle John's second cousin.

GEROLD:

I wish that Jane and Dan had taken it as well. They certainly were downcast after reading the will this morning.

Blanche:

Well naturally, they were your uncle's niece and nephew too and had hoped to share the estate with you, you can't blame them for being dissapointed.

GEROLD:

No I suppose not.

Blanche:

We'd better be starting back to the lodge. I can see you're a bit uneasy about being in this canyon.

GEROLD:

Well isn't it a bit dangerous being here? Look at how the snow is piled up above us on each side of this canyon. If there was a snow slide we'd be burried alive.

Blanche:

It isn't that dangerous. Of course a loud noise or someone shouting might start a slide. Come on along.

SFX:

cross country skis through snow

GEROLD:

There is some sort of scientific explanation for that isn't there?

Blanche:

Huh?

GEROLD:

I mean vibrations sent out by the voice.

Blanche:

Yes that's right. I've often stood outside the mouth of a canyon and started snow slides with nearby shouting.

GEROLD:

Snow slide must be quite a sight. Hundreds of tons of snow roaring and crashing down.

Blanche:

Well you can breathe easily now we're out of danger. Oh dear.

GEROLD:

Lose something?

Blanche:

Oh yes my camera. I think I left in back on the trunk of the tree we were sitting on. Oh Gerold would you mind getting it for me?

GEROLD:

No, of course not Blanche.

SFX:

skis in snow

GEROLD:

(shouting) You say it's on the trunk of the tree?

Blanche:

(shouting) Yes, yes that's right. Do you see it Gerold?

GEROLD:

(shouting) No Blanche, I don't.

Blanche:

Perhaps it fell in the snow. Look around.

GEROLD:

(shouting) I am looking but I don't see any sign of it.

SFX:

low rumbling which gets louder

GEROLD:

Blanche! The snow!

Blanche:

Gerold, run this way.

SFX:

rumbling stops.

Blanche:

To bad Gerold but thats what happens to people who stand between me and a million dollars.

MUSIC: transition

SFX:

wind and skis

JANE:

Oh Blanche, its so terrible. Gerold burried under all that snow. Perhaps we should have stayed in the canyon until they found the body.

Blanche:

Nonsense Jane, there is nothing we could have done there.

JANE:

Dan and I will share uncle John's estate now but I'd gladly give up my share if it would bring Gerold back alive.

Blanche:

I know you would dear. We cross the river here Jane.

JANE:

But the ice looks so thin. Blanche we didn't cross here on the way to the canyon did we?

Blanche:

No dear this is a shortcut.

JANE:

Oh Blanche it looks too dangerous.

Blanche:

It will support us. I'll tell what, i will cross first.

JANE:

Oh Blanche I wish you wouldn't. That ice is going to break any minute.

Blanche:

Nonsense. See I'm already half way across.

JANE:

But I can see cracks in the ice under your feet.

Blanche:

So can I but the ice is still strong enough to support me. See I made it. Now Jane it's your turn now.

JANE:

Blanche, I'm frightened.

Blanche:

Darling there is nothing to be afraid of. Now come along.

JANE:

Well all right.

Blanche:

Look, you'd better take your skis off. I think you will find it easier to walk across than to ski over the ice, you're not as good a skier as I am you know.

JANE:

Uh, very well Blanche if you say so.

SFX:

taking off skis

Blanche:

Hurry dear it will soon be dark.

JANE:

I've got them off now, here I come.

Blanche:

That's it, I told you the ice would hold you.

JANE:

Blanche, the ice feels as though it will give way under me at any second.

Blanche:

It felt the same way when I crossed but as you can see I managed.

SFX:

cracking sound

JANE:

Blanche! Oh, the ice is breaking! Help!

SFX:

cracking and then splashing

Jane:

(coughing/sputtering) Blanche, I can swim. Blanche, don't let me die. (cough/sputters)

Blanche:

Oh poor Jane. She should have known better taking off her skis before crossing the ice. Well now that leaves only Dan.

Music:

transition

ANNOUNCER:

Will Blanche succeed in getting rid of Dan? Will she get uncle John's estate? Will Dr. Weird be back to tell us the rest of this chilling tale?

Dr. WEIRD:

Yes, yes I'll be back but with all these questions aren't you going to ask one about Adam Hats?

ADVERTISMENT:

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SFX:

thunder

Dr. WEIRD:

And now to continue my story - The Voice of Death. it is the day following the tragic deaths of Gerold and Jane. In the living room of the luxurious lodge of the late John Drake. There are Blanche, Dan and Sidney Rand, attorney for the estate. There is a strange look in Mr. Rand'e eyes as he speaks to Blanche.

Mr. RAND:

All I can say is its very odd Blanche. First you go skiing with Gerold and he dies under a snow slide and then a few hours later while alone with you Jane drowns crossing a river.

Blanche:

I don't like your attitude. You act as though I caused their deaths.

DAN:

Blanche is right Mr. Rand, you haven't any right to say that. the village coroner said their deaths were accidental.

Mr. RAND:

I know what the village coroner said, it doesn't mean I have to agree.

SFX:

clock striking 5 times

DAN:

Now look it's five o'clock now. if you don't start for the village station right now you'll miss your train.

Mr. RAND:

Then won't you change your mind and come with me.

DAN:

No, i told you I'm staying up herefor another week, i need the rest.

Mr. RAND:

I just hope you don't find permanent rest up here.

DAN:

What do you mean by that?

Mr. RAND:

Just this, if anything were to happen to you Blanche would be heir to everything. Think it over.

SFX:

door opens and then closes

Blanche:

Oh Dan you don't believe I had anything to do with their deaths do you?

DAN:

Of course not Blanche its absurd to think you were involved in any way.

MUSIC:

transistion

Announcer:

Four days passed, days in which steadily falling snow kept Dan and Blanche cooped up in the lodge. With each day that passed Blanche seemed increasingly nervous and jumpy for no reason that wa sapparent to Dan. When the fifth day dawned bright and clear Dan suggested a long ski run and Blanche eagerly agreed. After skiing a few minutes she called out.

Blanche:

Dan, Dan we aren't going through the canyon are we?

DAN:

Why of course we are.

Blanche:

Dan lets go around it this time.

DAN:

Thats three mile further on. What's wrong with going through the canyon? Oh is it because that's where Gerold died?

Blanche:

Yes, I can't do it Dan.

DAN:

Look i hope you're not brooding about Gerold's death. you must go on.

Blanche:

I'm not brooding but, but Dan have you heard a voice calling ouside the house the past several nights?

DAN:

A voice?

Blanche:

Yes i've woke up several times thinking I heard Gerold's voice calling out in the storm.

DAN:

Oh Blanche, you heard the wind howling, that's all. now come on will you, we have to get through the canyon, its the only way to calm your nerves.

MUSIC:

transition

DAN:

That a girl, now only another couple of hundred more yards and we will be out of the canyon.

Blanche:

Let's hurry Dan, this is where it happened.

DAN:

Come on along then if you want to hurry.

GEROLD:

(ghostly/distant) Blanche, Blanche!

Blanche:

It's Gerold, its Gerold's voice.

GEROLD:

(ghostly/distant) Blanche, Blanche, this is where you killed me.

Blanche:

Oh no, no!

DAN:

Blanche, why have you stopped, come on.

GEROLD:

(ghostly/distant) I'm dead Blanche, you killed me.

Blanche:

I don't hear anything, i don't. Its just my imagination.

DAN:

Blanche come on!

GEROLD:

(ghostly/distant)I'll never leave you until you tell the truth.

Blanche:

Oh no.

GEROLD:

(ghostly/distant) Confess! Confess!

Blanche:

Yes! Yes I murdered you! I caused the snow slide, I shouted and caused it. I did it because the fortune was mine, mine and I was cheated out of it. Now be quiet! Don't talk to me anymore. (shouting louder) Don't talk to me!!

SFX:

rumbling

DAN:

Blanche look out! Snow is sliding!

SFX:

rumbling grows louder

Blanche:

What? No! Help me!

SFX:

rumbling very loud

Blanche:

God help me! ( loud scream )

MUSIC:

transition

Dr. WEIRD:

A moment later as Dan stared stunned at the spot where Blanche had vanished under tons of snow Mr Rand the lawyer came skiing up to him from around an outcropping of rock.

Mr. RAND:

Dan you fool, you were so close to that snow slide you almost killed yourself.

DAN:

Mr. Rand, she's dead, she's burried under all that snow.

Mr. RAND:

Yes I know. Well you heard her confess didn't you?

DAN:

Yes but when I agreed to follow the instructions you left for me in the mailbox I never dreamed it would end like this. I kept on telling myself she was innocent.

Mr. RAND:

Yes but she wasn't, I knew she couldn't be. Thats why I made her think I was clearing out. Instead I went down to the game keepers cottage by the lake. Thats where I've been the last few days.

DAN:

Yes, i guessed that after I got your first note asking me not to show any surprise no matter what happened. But Mr Rand the voice that Blanche heard in the night and the voice just now. I could have sworn it was Gerold's voice.

Mr. RAND:

I counted on that. I knew Gerold well and vocal immitations are a sort of parlour trick of mine. My scheme was a wild one Dan but it was the only possibility of getting a confession from her. Those murders she committed were perfect.

DAN:

Two perfect murders and she was so beautiful.

MR. RAND:

Her own screams brought down the snow slide which killed her and i don't think all the judges in the world could have found a more fitting punishment than the one her own conscious provided.

MUSIC:

transition

Dr. WEIRD:

too bad about poor Blanche wasn't it? Looks like the man who said the female of the species is more deadly than the male knew what he was talking about. But wait if you're an heir and you know someone who stands to gain by your death, I'd be very careful to stay away from.... Oh you have to go now? Perhaps you'll drop in on me again soon. Just look for the house on the other side of the cemetery. The house of Dr. Weird.

MUSIC:

end