MUSIC:
UP
ANNC:
Last week you may remember, Flash Gordon and Dale Arden saved the Earth from destruction by shooting a rocket at a planet which threatened to collide with it. They became marooned on the planet, called Mongo. The Emperor, Ming the Merciless, ordered Flash killed, and commanded Dale to marry him. The royal princess, loving Flash, saved him. Thun, Prince of the Lion Men, helped Flash prevent Ming from marrying Dale, by breaking up the marriage ceremony and escaping underground. Now, we continue the story.
Flash and Dale are captured by the Sharkmen. Princess Aura appears and again saves Flash, who in turn, tries to free Dale, but Thun's father, searching for his princely son, captures the Princess and Flash. Rather than remain a captive, the proud Aura hurls herself over the cliff, only to be caught by the terrible leaves of a constrictor plant. Flash hastens to her aid.
Aura:
Ooooh. Oh ...
Flash:
Don't struggle Princess Aura. I'll free you.
Aura:
Oh, hurry! The leaves are crushing me.
Flash:
I'll cut them with my sword.
Aura:
Oh, be careful! Ah! Oh, careful Flash! The plant may touch you.
SFX:
(Sword chopping)
Flash:
Arrgh, this devilish plant!
Aura:
... Oh!
Flash:
..Arrgh! There!..
Aura:
..Oh Flash! It's got you too.
Flash:
Yes. Yes, I didn't think it could. ...I think thats a tough break.
Aura:
What shall we do now?
Flash:
I don't know...yet.
Aura:
Oh, Oh, Flash!
Flash:
What is it Princess? Are you in pain?
Aura:
No. Look--look down there. Out there a door in the ship ... has opened!
Flash:
So it has. There are soldiers coming out. With strange looking guns. Are those your father's men?
Aura:
No. No, I never saw them before. They must have seen us, and come to make us captives.
Flash:
Well at least they'll get us out of the clutches of this terrible plant!
Barin:
(Off mike) Soldiers! Attack that plant and kill it, but don't injure its victims . . . I want them brought to me alive.
Flash:
Don't be afraid, Princess. Those men will catch you.
Aura:
Oh!
Barin:
(Off mike) Be ready to catch her men.
SFX:
(Aura drops to ground)
Barin:
Now, the other one.
Flash:
Here I come!
SFX:
(Flash drops to ground)
Aura:
We're safe on the ground. But what will happen now?
Flash:
It's up to the leader of those soldiers.
Barin:
(coming on mike) Soldiers, you did that well. Ahh, Princess Aura...
Aura:
Yes. How do you know me? I do not know you.
Barin:
I know your father.
Aura:
Oh!
Barin:
So, what's this? Another white stranger?
Captain:
Yes, Prince Barin.
Barin:
Blindfold him. And prepare our other white prisoner for the ordeal of the poisoned daggers.
Captain:
As you command, Prince Barin.
Aura:
What are you going to do with me?
Barin:
Guard, take the Princess to my quarters.
Guard:
As you command, Prince Barin.
Barin:
Ahh, here comes our other white prisoner. Perhaps you know him, youth?
Flash:
How can I tell, he's got a hood over his head. I can't see his face.
Barin:
He says he is from the Earth. I suppose you are from there, too?
Flash:
I am.
Barin:
I don't believe you. But no matter. Our hiding place must remain a secret so both of you must die. Are the white prisoners prepared guard?
Guard:
They are, Prince Barin. Their left forearms are tied together.
Barin:
And the poisoned daggers? Are they ready?
Guard:
Yes, they are.
Barin:
Now listen prisoners. I am dipping these two daggers in dragon's blood. The slightest scratch from these blades means certain death. Guard, give these to the prisoners. On the count of three you will commence fighting. One . . . two . . . three!
ANNC:
As Prince Barin utters the words, Flash steps back, jerking his mysterious antagonist off balance. He flings aside his dagger and then causes his opponent to drop his poisoned weapon. Picking up the dagger, Flash severs the cords binding him to his opponent, and as the two whip off their blindfolds and reveal themselves to each other . . .
Zarkov:
Flash Gordon!
Flash:
Dr. Zarkov!
Barin:
So you do know each other.
Flash:
I should say we do. I am mighty glad to see you, doctor. I thought you were dead after our rocket crashed on this planet.
Zarkov:
I was badly hurt, Flash. These fellows, they picked me up and brought me here. They made me act as their servant. Well, we saved the Earth, didn't we lad?
Flash:
We certainly did, doctor. Now Prince Barin, maybe you'll believe that we are from the Earth. This man was the most brilliant scientist in the world. He was ??-
Barin:
Stop! My admiration for both of you is boundless. I would be honored to have you shake my hand and call me friend.
Flash:
Your friend?
Barin:
Yes.
Flash:
Why, of course. Here is my hand.
Zarkov:
And mine.
Barin:
Good. Now come to my quarters. (SFX - walking) My friends, I have invented an electric mole with which I intend to burrow underground into the palace of Ming the Merciless and overthrow his tyrannical government. Are you with me?
Zarkov:
Certainly!
Flash:
You bet we are! We've got to rescue Dale and Thun from that fiend.
Barin:
Princess Aura! You heard what I plan to do, Aura?
Aura:
Yes. Please take me back to my father's palace with you.
Barin:
You?! Why it is because of you that I am a hunted man with a price on my head. You will remain here as my prisoner. Come, my friends . . . come. (they exit)
Aura:
Oh I will, Will I? Guard!
Guard:
What is it?
Aura:
What is your name?
Guard:
Ronkel, my Princess.
Aura:
Ronkel. I thought I recognized your face. You fled into exile from my father's guard when you were caught stealing.
Guard:
Yes.
Aura:
Listen, Ronkel.
Guard:
Princess.
Aura:
If you would help me warn my father of what those men plan to do, I will make you not only wealthy, but also a Duke.
Guard:
For one so lovely as my Princess, how could I refuse? Come with me.
MUSIC UP and OUT
ANNC:
Unaware of what has happended in the hiding place, and racing underground toward the palace of Ming the Merciless in their electric mole, Prince Barin, Dr. Zarkov, and Flash Gordon encounter a fierce Gwakko, or armor plated dragon. Flash climbs out of the mole and gives battle, saving his companions. For this Prince Barin promises that if they succeed in overthrowing Ming, Flash will be made a Prince of Mongo and anything he desires will be his. Finally . . .
SFX:
(Crash)
ANNC:
. . . the electric mole breaks through the floor of the central hall in Ming's palace. The door opens and the three emerge from the metal burrowing machine.
Barin:
Come my friends, we have arrived.
Zarkov:
Ah, so we have. What is our next move, Prince Barin?
Barin:
Hmm. This is the central hall of Ming's palace. We will go up those stairs, Dr. Zarkov, and surprise the inner guards.
Flash:
Prince Barin, look.
Barin:
Ming's armored men!
Flash:
We've been betrayed.
Barin:
Yes.
Flash:
But how could the news have reached here before us?
Zarkov:
Let us get our ray guns.
Barin:
It's no use, doctor. The armor of those soldiers is ray-proof.
Zarkov:
Here comes Ming the Merciless with his High Priest.
Dale:
(Off mike) No . . . Flash!
Flash:
Dale! Thank heavens she is alright.
Ming:
Welcome back to my palace, Flash Gordon. And welcome to your companions. Soldiers, lash them to the pillar over there and execute them.
Dale:
Oh, Flash darling. I love you so much.
Flash:
Dale, my dear. We did our best to save you, but we've been betrayed. I guess they have us now.
Dale:
Let them shoot. They will kill me, too, and we will be together, forever.
Ming:
Very well, Dale Arden. You can have him in death. Captain!
Captain:
Sire!
Ming:
Proceed with the execution.
Flash:
Shoot you yellow dogs. We aren't afraid to die.
Captain:
Ready . . . aim . . .
Zogi:
Captain, hold your fire!
Ming:
Zogi! What is this? If you were not the High Priest, I would have your tongue torn out for your insolence.
Zogi:
I ask you to remember, Sire, that according to the writ of Pau-oo even a traitor has the right to choose between the firing squad and the terrible pit.
Ming:
True, Zogi. And on second thought such deaths would provide greater amusement.
Zogi:
Yes, Sire. We must abide by the sacred writs. And I see no reason . . . uh . . . why the girl should be killed.
Ming:
Captain.
Captain:
Sire.
Ming:
Release the prisoners. They shall undergo the terrible test. Bring them over to the pit.
Captain:
All right. Come on. Move along
SFX:
(walking)
Ming:
This is the test of the torture pit. Flash Gordon, you and Barin will stand at each end of the narrow platform and with long whips try to topple each other into the pit where a surprise will be awaiting you. Take your places!
ANNC:
The two mount the platform. Flash ducks as Barin's whip whines over his head. Flashes whip hits Barin with such force as to knock him off balance and into the pit. Dropping his whip, Flash leaps after him. As he throws the unconscious former Prince Barin over his shoulder and prepares to climb out, a transparent metal sheet slides over the top of the pit trapping them. At the same time, Flash hears a growl, and looking around sees three snarling tigrons. Placing Barin on the floor, Flash turns on the fierce beasts.
The first one charges. Leaping high in the air, Flash comes down on the tigrons back and with a powerful wrench, breaks its neck. The other two tigrons leap at each other to fight for possession of the body. Furiously the battle rages. (SFX - beast snarls). Finally, both animals are down, wounded unto death. Then Prince Barin regains consciousness.
Barin:
Oooo. Where . . . where are we?
Flash:
It's alright Prince Barin. Stand up. We are in the pit. But they've trapped us with that transparent metal lid.
Barin:
And you . . . you saved us from these beasts. Why you are superb, Flash.
Flash:
That was easier than figuring how we are going to get out of here.
Barin:
Look up there.
Flash:
Prince Thun! He's just in time. Thun! Roll that metal lid back. He nods that he understands.
Barin:
There, he's done it. We are free!
Flash:
Come along!
MUSIC:
UP AND UNDER
ANNC:
Meanwhile in the Temple of Pau-oo Ming and Dale are about to be married by Zogi, the High Priest
SFX:
Gong over Ming's music
Ming:
By now, Dale Arden, my saber toothed tigrons have torn your hero to pieces.
Dale:
Oh, poor Flash. He died trying to save me. Nothing matters now.
Ming:
Here comes Zogi to perform the ceremony.
Zogi:
Oh mighty Ming, ruler of Mongo and the universe, does your Supreme Intelligence take this Earthwoman to be your wife and Empress of Mongo?
Ming:
I most certainly do.
SFX:
(Gong)
Zogi:
And you, Dale Arden, do you take this just and brilliant man to be your Lord and Master?
Dale:
I . . . I don't care what happens now.
SFX:
(Gong)
Zogi:
As you have accepted each other in matrimony before the great god Pau-oo, I pronounce . . .
VO:
Wait! Stop!
Zogi:
The idol speaks!
VO:
I, Pau-oo forbid this marriage.
Crowd:
Gasps and murmurs
Ming:
It is a trick! Fools! A stone idol cannot talk! Zogi, swing back the statue.
Zogi:
At once, Sire
SFX:
(Stone door creaking open)
Ming:
Flash Gordon!
Dale:
Flash, darling! They told me you were dead.
Zogi:
The Earthman and two companions arrive!
Ming:
Guards! Shoot them down! The marriage must go on.
Zogi:
Wait! Sire! The sacred writs say you cannot execute the man who has passed the test of the tigrons. Guards! Drop your weapons or Pau-oo will curse you all.
Ming:
What! You dare defy me!
Zogi:
I only quote the sacred writ, sire. As High Priest, it is my duty to interpret and enforce its dictates.
Ming:
Guard, give me your sword. Zogi, I will shut your jabbering mouth forever.
Zogi:
(Screams)
Dale:
Oh, how awful. He's killed the High Priest.
Ming:
Carry his body away, guards.
Dale:
Flash, my darling. I thought I'd lost you.
Flash:
Never as long as I have strength in these two arms and a breath of life in my body.
Ming:
So Pau-oo forbids me to slay you, huh? Well Pau-oo and I will both laugh while you rebels slave in the prison city of the Hawkmen.
Flash:
Death would be more desirable.
Ming:
As for you, Dale Arden, you shall be taught to act like my Empress.
MUSIC:
UP and UNDER
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Doomed to a fate worse than death among the cruel Hawkmen, what terrifying adventures await our friends? Be sure to listen in again next week and hear the further Amazing Adventures of Flash Gordon and Dale Arden!