NBC ANNCR:

And now stay tuned for "X MINUS ONE" on NBC.

SOUND:

HIGH-PITCHED ELECTRONIC HUM ... JOINED BY ELECTRONIC BEEPING IN AGREEMENT WITH COUNTDOWN

ANNOUNCER:

Countdown for blast-off. X minus five, four, three, two. X minus one. Fire.

SOUND:

A MOMENT'S SILENCE ... THEN ROCKET SHIP BLASTS OFF

MUSIC:

BUILDS VERTIGINOUSLY TO A CLIMAX ... THEN IN BG

ANNOUNCER:

From the far horizons of the unknown come transcribed tales of new dimensions in time and space. These are stories of the future, adventures in which you'll live in a million could-be years on a thousand maybe worlds. The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine, presents -- (HEAVY ECHO) X MINUS ONE!

MUSIC:

TO A CLIMAX ... THEN OUT

ANNOUNCER:

Tonight, "Wherever You May Be" by James E. Gunn.

MUSIC:

FOR A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

SOUND:

CAR SLOWS TO A STOP

MATTHEW:

(CALLS) Hey! (NO RESPONSE) Hey, you! (NO ANSWER) Little girl! (NO ANSWER) You, on the fence!

ABBY:

(OFF) Yeah?

MATTHEW:

Hey, kid, come here.

ABBY:

Well, I'm right comfortable where right I am.

MATTHEW:

(GRUMBLES TO HIMSELF)

SOUND:

CAR DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES ... BIRDS TWITTER IN BACKGROUND ... MATTHEW'S FOOTSTEPS TRUDGE TO ABBY BEHIND--

MATTHEW:

Uh, listen, kid, is there a service station on this road?

ABBY:

Well, Merv Wheelock got a gas pump at the general store.

MATTHEW:

Oh? How far is it?

ABBY:

'Bout eighteen miles.

MATTHEW:

Oh, that's a big help. Well, I don't know what else to expect in the middle of the Ozarks.

SOUND:

CAR TRUNK UNLATCHED AND LIFTED

ABBY:

You want me to help you, mister?

MATTHEW:

No, just keep out of the way, kid.

SOUND:

CAR TRUNK COMES CRASHING DOWN ON MATTHEW

MATTHEW:

Ow!

ABBY:

(CRACKS UP WITH LAUGHTER)

MATTHEW:

(ANNOYED) There's nothing funny about that!

SOUND:

CAR TRUNK LIFTED AGAIN

MATTHEW:

You just gonna sit there and watch me sweat, kid?

ABBY:

(AMUSED) Oh, no. There'll be lots more to watch.

SOUND:

CLANK OF TOOLS

MATTHEW:

Well, I don't know what's so amusing about watching a man change a flat tire.

SOUND:

TOOLS CLANKING ... ONE FALLS ON HIS FOOT

MATTHEW:

Ow!

ABBY:

(LAUGHS) You sure you don't want me to help, mister?

MATTHEW:

No, I'm perfectly capable of changing a tire by myself!

MUSIC:

BRISK BRIDGE

ABBY:

(MERRILY) Look out, mister! It's rolling away.

MATTHEW:

What?

ABBY:

Your tire. (CHUCKLES) It's rolling away! (LAUGHS)

SOUND:

MATTHEW'S RUNNING FOOTSTEPS BEHIND--

MATTHEW:

(TO THE TIRE) Hey! Hey! Come back here, you!

SOUND:

MATTHEW GRAPPLES WITH TIRE

MATTHEW:

This is the most sadistic tire I ever--

SOUND:

THUMP! OF TIRE DROPPING

MATTHEW:

(TO THE TIRE) Now, stay put.

ABBY:

(LAUGHS)

SOUND:

TOOLS CLANK IN BACKGROUND

MATTHEW:

(TO ABBY) Why don't you go home?

ABBY:

Cain't!

MATTHEW:

Why not?

ABBY:

I run away.

MATTHEW:

(SARCASTIC) Aww. Well, that's tough.

SOUND:

TOOLS OUT

MATTHEW:

There! Now, listen, kid, you know a cabin about fifteen miles up the road?

ABBY:

I reckon.

MATTHEW:

You know where the turn-off is?

ABBY:

There ain't no turn-off. You just drive till the road peters out and you take the footpath. You gonna live in that place?

MATTHEW:

(YES) Mm hm. Just for the summer.

ABBY:

(SHE LIKES THAT IDEA) Ohhhh.

SOUND:

MATTHEW WALKS TO TRUNK WHICH SHUTS BEHIND--

MATTHEW:

Well, so long, kid.

ABBY:

Oh, mister! Hey, mister!

MATTHEW:

Now what do you want?

ABBY:

Well, nothin'. Only you forgot your jack.

MATTHEW:

(WEARILY) Ohhh. That does it.

SOUND:

MATTHEW OPENS TRUNK ... PLACES JACK INSIDE ... CLOSES AND LOCKS TRUNK

MATTHEW:

Where you going?

ABBY:

No place.

MATTHEW:

Thought you said you ran away.

ABBY:

I surely did.

MATTHEW:

Don't you have any relatives?

ABBY:

No.

MATTHEW:

Friends?

ABBY:

No.

MATTHEW:

All right then, go on home!

ABBY:

(WEEPS)

MATTHEW:

(SYMPATHETIC) Awww. Come on now, what are you crying for? (BEAT) All right, all right, get in. I'll give you a lift.

SOUND:

CAR DOOR OPENS ... MATTHEW AND ABBY CLIMB IN ... DOOR CLOSES

MATTHEW:

But, listen, look out for those notes. There's over a year's work in those.

SOUND:

CAR STARTS AND DRIVES DOWN ROAD ... ENGINE CONTINUES IN BG

ABBY:

Oh? A year's work in them pieces of paper?

MATTHEW:

(YES) Uh huh! Those are notes for the thesis I'm gonna write.

ABBY:

You write stories?

MATTHEW:

No, a research paper. I have to do it to get my degree at the university.

ABBY:

What's it called? I mean, the story you're writin'?

MATTHEW:

It's not a s-- It's called "The Psycho-Dynamics of Witchcraft, with Special Reference to the Salem Trials of Sixteen Ninety-Two."

ABBY:

Oh. Witches?

MATTHEW:

Yeah. All right, where do you live, kid?

ABBY:

Well, I can't go home. Pa'd beat me again. Oh, he'd pretty nigh skin me alive, I guess.

MATTHEW:

You mean he hits you? A little kid like you?

ABBY:

Well, he don't use his fists -- not often. He uses his belt, mostly. Look. Look here. On my knee. See that black and blue mark? (SLY) And this one?

MATTHEW:

(HAS SEEN TOO MUCH) Uhhh, never mind. Why does he hit you?

ABBY:

He's just mean.

MATTHEW:

Well, he must have some reason.

ABBY:

Oh, he wants me to catch some strong young fella who'd do the work around the place. A gal don't bring in no money, he says. Leastwise, not a good one.

MATTHEW:

You're much too young to get married!

ABBY:

(DEFENSIVE) I'm sixteen!

MATTHEW:

You don't look more than-- (BEAT, RECONSIDERS) Well, I don't know.

ABBY:

Most girls my age got a couple o' young ones. One anyways. Hmph! The way Pa carries on, you'd think I didn't want to get married. Now, it ain't my fault no fella wants me.

MATTHEW:

(CHUCKLES) What seems to be the trouble?

ABBY:

Mmmm, mostly, I guess, I'm just unlucky. One fella I went with, pretty nearly a year -- he busted his leg. Another nigh well drowneded when he fell in the lake. Now, it don't seem right they should blame me, even though we did have words.

MATTHEW:

Blame you?

ABBY:

Well, they say it's "courtin' disaster" instead of a gal. Fellas just stopped comin' 'round. (SLY) You, umm-- You married, Mister--? Uh, Mister, uh--?

MATTHEW:

Matthew Wright. No, I'm not married.

ABBY:

(TO HERSELF) Wright. Abigail Wright. That's right purty.

MATTHEW:

Abigail Wright?

ABBY:

Oh! Did I say that? Now, ain't that funny? (SLY) My name's Jenkins.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

SOUND:

FARM BACKGROUND ... BARNYARD ANIMALS, ET CETERA ... MATTHEW'S FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

MATTHEW:

Mr. Jenkins?

PA:

(MUMBLES, UNINTERESTED)

MATTHEW:

I met your daughter on the road. (CHUCKLES) I brought her back.

PA:

(MUMBLES, COULDN'T CARE LESS)

MATTHEW:

Uh, look, Mr. Jenkins, I got a pint bottle in my pocket. Care for a little drink?

SOUND:

BOTTLE INSTANTLY SEIZED, UNCORKED, AND COMPLETELY DRAINED ... GLUG-GLUG-GLUG!

PA:

(EXHALES GRANDLY, DEADPAN) Terrible weak.

MATTHEW:

Well, I'm sorry. I, uh-- I repeat, I brought your daughter back.

PA:

Why?

MATTHEW:

Well, she had no place to go.

PA:

She run away.

MATTHEW:

(CHUCKLES) Now, look, Mr. Jenkins, I realize that teenage daughters can be a nuisance and, after meeting your daughter, I can understand how you feel. Still and all, she is your daughter.

PA:

Got my doubts.

MATTHEW:

Now, Mr. Jenkins, your daughter may have given you good reason to lose your temper, but beating a child is never sound psychology.

PA:

(SUDDENLY LIVELY) Beat her? You mean wallop her? Whale her? Man, I never laid a hand to her; I daresn't.

MATTHEW:

But - but she said--

PA:

Come in here.

MATTHEW:

Oh, now, Mr. Jenkins, I assure you--

PA:

Come in the cabin.

SOUND:

THEIR FOOTSTEPS ONTO WOOD FLOOR OF CABIN

PA:

You look around this here room, mister. See them dishes all over the floor? Those chairs all splintered like they was kindlin'? That table turned over bottom-side-topmost like a turtle on the road? You think I beat her?

MATTHEW:

(TAKEN ABACK) Well, the place is a shambles.

PA:

I ain't sayin' Abby did it -- but when she gets unhappy, things happen. Dishes come flyin' through the air. Funny things happen around Ab. Ever since she started fillin' out, five or six years ago.

MATTHEW:

(SKEPTICAL) Well, she's only sixteen!

PA:

Sixteen? Don't let on I told ya, but she's past eighteen.

SOUND:

DISH BREAKS

PA:

There. You see?

MATTHEW:

Well, it just fell off the shelf.

PA:

Now, look, uh-- You're a city fella, passable lookin'. Why don't you take her with ya?

MATTHEW:

Take--? What?! Aw, now-- Now, wait a minute, Mr. Jenkins.

PA:

But she's right pretty when she fixes up, and she can cook right smart! Go on, take her!

MATTHEW:

Why, you must be mad! You can't give a girl away like that! I-- If you'll excuse me, I think I'd better be going.

PA:

(BITTER) Nobody asked you to bring her back. The gal eats more than I do.

MATTHEW:

Oh, now, look-- Here-- Umm, uh-- Here's, uh, ten dollars. (CHUCKLES, GOOD-NATURED) Buy yourself a jug.

PA:

Well, I-- I'd like to, but I cain't do it. It ain't worth it! You brought her back; you can take her away.

MATTHEW:

(FRUSTRATED) Ohhh. Here. Uh, here's fifteen.

PA:

(RELUCTANT) Well-- I should know better. (GIVES IN) All right, mister.

MATTHEW:

(HAPPY) Ah! I'll get her.

SOUND:

MATTHEW FOOTSTEPS HURRY TO CAR

PA:

It ain't no use, though, I can tell ya, mister!

SOUND:

CAR DOOR OPENS

MATTHEW:

All right, Abigail, get out of the car. You're home.

ABBY:

But, Pa--

MATTHEW:

Oh, he isn't mad at you. He's welcoming you back. Now, come on, get out!

ABBY:

(LOW, BITTER) Dirty, nasty old man! Serve him right if that bottle he's pullin' busted right over his head!

SOUND:

GLASS BOTTLE BREAKS

PA:

(IN PAIN) Ow!

SOUND:

CAR DOOR CLOSES

MATTHEW:

Uh, goodbye, Abby. And remind me never to see you again.

MUSIC:

CHEERFUL BRIDGE

SOUND:

MATTHEW'S FOOTSTEPS ONTO CABIN PORCH AS HE SINGS IRVING BERLIN'S 1924 SONG "ALL ALONE"

MATTHEW:

(SINGS, TO HIMSELF) "All alone. I'm so all alone. There is no--"

SOUND:

OPENS CABIN DOOR ... MATTHEW'S FOOTSTEPS OUT WITH--

MATTHEW:

(GASPS)

ABBY:

Hello.

MATTHEW:

(BEAT) What are you doing here?

ABBY:

Waiting for you.

MATTHEW:

But, listen, this is-- This is my cabin; I rented it.

ABBY:

I know. What kept you?

MATTHEW:

Well, what are you doing here? How did you get here?

ABBY:

Oh, I reckon you're hungry. Look, why don't you set down? Supper's about ready.

MATTHEW:

Now, wait a minute, I came here by car! How did you get here?

ABBY:

Well, I rode. Oh, it's lucky I did. This place needed a good sweepin'.

MATTHEW:

(BEAT) Is that your broom?

ABBY:

Why, no. It was here in the cabin. Pa loaned me a mule. I let her go. She'll get home all right.

MATTHEW:

But you can't stay here; it's impossible! What would people say?

ABBY:

Well, who'd care? Pa don't. Oh, please, Mr. Wright -- let me cook and clean for ya. I won't be no trouble. Honest, I wouldn't.

MATTHEW:

Aw, now, look, Abby, you're a nice girl and I like you, but you'll just have to go back to your father. Do you understand?

ABBY:

(WEEPS, BITTER) All right!

SOUND:

LOUD CRASH, OFF

MATTHEW:

(ALARMED) What? What?! What was that? What happened? What happ--?

SOUND:

MATTHEW'S HURRIED FOOTSTEPS TO DOOR

MATTHEW:

Oh, look at that! The car! I - I must have left the brake off!

ABBY:

You reckon it's hurt bad?

MATTHEW:

Well, rolling down a ten-foot grade into a tree didn't help it any.

ABBY:

Oh, well, I'm sorry, Mr. Wright.

MATTHEW:

Are you? Well, anyway, it looks like you'll have to stay here tonight then, doesn't it?

ABBY:

(WISELY) I reckon.

MATTHEW:

(TO HIMSELF) I could've sworn I put that brake on. (TO ABBY, STERN) Listen, you're going back, first thing in the morning!

ABBY:

(HUMORS HIM) Oh, sure. Sure, Mr. Wright. I understand.

MUSIC:

HUMOROUSLY MOCKING BRIDGE

MATTHEW:

(GENTLE, CAREFUL) Abby?

ABBY:

Hm?

MATTHEW:

Uh, tell me something. Who wrecked your father's house?

ABBY:

Libby.

MATTHEW:

Libby, huh? Who's Libby?

ABBY:

The other me. Mostly I keep her bottled up inside. But when I feel sad and unhappy, I just can't keep her in. Then she just lets loose and goes wild.

MATTHEW:

(TO HIMSELF) Hmmm. Schizo. (CLEARS THROAT, TO ABBY) Umm, Abby, where did you get an idea like that?

ABBY:

Well, when I was born, I had a twin sister -- only she died real quick. And when I was bad, my ma used to say Libby would never have been mean or cross or naughty. So, when I done somethin' bad, I started sayin' Libby'd done it. I guess after a while I begun to believe it myself.

MATTHEW:

Um, can you - control it, Abby?

ABBY:

Not much. You see, when I get feelin' mad 'n' mean, things just happen, that's all.

MATTHEW:

(DRY) How about a rolling tire?

ABBY:

(GIGGLES) You sure did look funny! Oh, I was just feelin' mean about Pa, I guess, and I took it out on you.

MATTHEW:

(TO HIMSELF) I don't believe it. It's absolutely impossible. It's-it's-it's-it's-it's primitive. It's straight out of Frazer's Golden Bough. There's got to be some explanation!

ABBY:

Hmm?

MATTHEW:

Illusion or hypnosis -- there's got to be some physical explanation!

ABBY:

Well, I don't see why! I mean, if a thing just happens, you don't have to explain it. It's just there, ain't it?

MATTHEW:

All right, all right. Here--

SOUND:

CUP PUT ON TABLE

MATTHEW:

Here. Now, uh, make that cup move.

ABBY:

Why?

MATTHEW:

I want to see you do it!

ABBY:

But I don't want to! I never wanted to do it; it just happens.

MATTHEW:

Come on, try.

ABBY:

No, Mr. Wright. Look, it never brung me nothin' but misery. It's bad enough when you can't help it, but it's worse when you do it on purpose. Nothin' good will come of it.

MATTHEW:

Come on, try. I want you to. Move that cup! Now, go ahead, Abby, just - move it without touching it.

ABBY:

(FRUSTRATED) I cain't. I just cain't.

MATTHEW:

Why not? Why "cain't" ya?

ABBY:

Oh, I don't know. (BEAT) I guess it's because I'm happy.

MATTHEW:

(SLY) Ohhh. You can't move it now?

ABBY:

No.

MATTHEW:

All right. (FEIGNS BELLIGERENCE) All right, then get your things, you're going back to your father right now!

ABBY:

No, no, I ain't goin'! I cain't!

MATTHEW:

Aw, listen! Listen to you! You're a stupid, backwoods girl. "Cain't"! What kind of a way of talking is that? You're going back to your father because you're an ignorant, dirty hillbilly!

SOUND:

CRASH! AS CUP FLIES OFF TABLE AND SMASHES AGAINST WALL

ABBY:

(UPSET) Oh, I-- (WEEPS BRIEFLY)

MATTHEW:

(THRILLED) Abby! Abby, you did it! You did it! It came right at my head!

ABBY:

(QUIET) Do I have to go back?

MATTHEW:

Oh, no. No. No, sir. Not if you help me! Abby, I've got a hold of something here that-- (BEAT, AN EXCLAMATION) What a thesis!

MUSIC:

GRAND BRASS BRIDGE ... UNDERCUT BY COMICAL WAH-WAH TRUMPET AND PUNCTUATED BY TYMPANI

SOUND:

NOCTURNAL BACKGROUND (CRICKETS)

MATTHEW:

(SLY, BUT CAREFUL) Ummm. Abby?

ABBY:

(LANGUOROUS) Hmmm?

MATTHEW:

What's, uhhh, courting like here in the hills?

ABBY:

Ohhhh, sometimes we walk, and look at things together, and talk a little. And if the night is warm, we just sit and hold hands and -- whatever.

MATTHEW:

(LIKES THE SOUND OF IT) Mm huh. (WARM) Like this?

ABBY:

Mr. Wright? Uh, do you like me a little bit? Not marryin' like, but - friendly like?

MATTHEW:

(QUIETLY CONVINCING) I like you very much, Abby. Very much.

ABBY:

(LIKES THE SOUND OF IT) Ohhhh, Mr. Wright! (PAUSE, FOR A KISS ... EXHALES) You kiss real purty.

MATTHEW:

(PLEASED CHUCKLE, CLEARS THROAT, MORE BUSINESSLIKE) Abby, what happened to your fellas? I mean, uh, the other boys?

ABBY:

Well, folks say I have the evil eye. I mean, Hank fell off the roof and broke his leg. And - and Gene-- Well, he fell in the lake and liked to drown. It wasn't my fault it was after we'd had words, now was it?

MATTHEW:

(NERVOUS) Uh, no, no, no.

ABBY:

Why, Mr. Wright, you're shivering. Maybe we'd better go get your jacket.

MATTHEW:

(DECISIVE) Abby, tomorrow we're going to drive to Springfield to do some shopping!

ABBY:

(INHALES HAPPILY) Really, Mr. Wright? Why, I ain't never been to Springfield! Oh, ain't that wonderful?!

MUSIC:

WONDERFUL BRIDGE

ABBY:

Mr. Wright?

MATTHEW:

Hm? Are you happy, Abby?

ABBY:

(EXHALES HAPPILY) Oh, it's the happiest I've ever been in my life! I mean, eatin' in a fancy restaurant and even dancin' and all. Oh, and now us just settin' here together in the moonlight. I never thought anything like this would happen to me.

MATTHEW:

Abby, I'm afraid maybe you don't understand.

ABBY:

Well, what do you mean, Mr. Wright?

MATTHEW:

Well, you know that dress I bought you, that's, uh-- That's for another girl.

ABBY:

What?

MATTHEW:

Yeah. It's for another girl. I'm, uh-- I'm gonna marry her. She's about your size, and I thought we could pick it out that way.

ABBY:

(DISTRAUGHT) Oh, no, I-- Oh, Mr. Wright-- (STARTS TO WEEP AND MOVE OFF)

MATTHEW:

Abby? Abby, wait a minute! Where are you going? Wait! I want to talk to you!

ABBY:

(OFF) No! I'm goin' to bed! (EXITS WEEPING)

MATTHEW:

(QUIETLY PLEASED, CHUCKLES TO HIMSELF) Heh, heh. Ah, Matthew Wright, you are a no-good, miserable cad.

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

SOUND:

BREAKFAST DISHES AND UTENSILS CLANKING

ABBY:

(SOUR) You want any more coffee?

MATTHEW:

You still feel bad, Abby?

ABBY:

You want me to move that cup for you today? I can do it real good.

MATTHEW:

How do you know?

ABBY:

Well, I just got a feelin'. Look!

SOUND:

DISHES AND UTENSILS MOVE

MATTHEW:

You can do it now?

ABBY:

Sure, I guess.

SOUND:

MANY MORE DISHES AND UTENSILS MOVE, A LITTLE LOUDER

ABBY:

There! It's gettin' easier!

MATTHEW:

(QUICKLY) Look, Abby, I want to get some things out of the car. I just happen to have them for tests. There may be other powers.

ABBY:

Well, I don't care much one way or the other, Mr. Wright. If it makes you happy, it's all right with me.

MUSIC:

WRY BRIDGE

MATTHEW:

Abby?! (NO ANSWER) Abby, where are you? (NO ANSWER) Abby, where did you go? (NO ANSWER) Abby?!

ABBY:

(COOL) Here I am, Mr. Wright.

MATTHEW:

(INHALES, STARTLED) Abby, where were you?

ABBY:

Springfield.

MATTHEW:

(DISBELIEF) But that's fifty miles.

ABBY:

I know. I just kind of wished I was there, and then I was! I brought back a frying pan I admired in that hardware store window. Ain't it pretty? Got a real copper bottom.

MATTHEW:

(CHUCKLES) Didn't you have any trouble getting out of the store without anyone seeing you?

ABBY:

Well, I was outside, but I could see in the backroom somehow, too. I knew his name was Albert, and he was doin' a crossword puzzle.

MATTHEW:

Now, wait. How could you tell all that?

ABBY:

Well, I just kind of looked inside of his thinking. (BEAT, SLY) Like this.

MATTHEW:

(BEAT, REALIZES, NERVOUS) Wait a minute. Wait a minute, Abby! Don't!

ABBY:

I could look right inside your thinkin' now, Mr. Wright!

MATTHEW:

Abby? Abby, wait a minute! Abby!

ABBY:

(GASPS, DEEPLY OFFENDED) Ohhh! You wouldn't. You didn't!

MATTHEW:

Well, now-- Now, wait a minute, Abby, you've got to understand--

ABBY:

I understand. I understand everything you've been thinkin'. You devil! Well, there ain't nothin' too bad for anyone who'd do that!

MATTHEW:

Well, you've got to let me explain--

ABBY:

You, with your kindness and your city manners! How could you do it?! You made me fall in love with you; it was just a trick! You just wanted to make me unhappy, that's all. Why, even Pa was never that mean. I'd as soon marry up with a rattlesnake!

MATTHEW:

(WITH DREAD) Abby, what are you gonna do?

ABBY:

Well, I haven't made up my mind yet, but I'll think of somethin'!

MUSIC:

HUMOROUSLY OMINOUS BRIDGE

MATTHEW:

(TO HIMSELF) Well, I've got to think of some way out of it. She's in that other room thinking what to do to me. I've got to think of some way-- No, no, no, it's no use! Soon as I think of it, she knows. Oh. Got to keep my mind busy. Uh, uh, uh-- "Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as--" Maybe if could get her father-- No, no! Er-- "If there are two outs, and bases loaded, or men on first and second, and a ball is hit, which, in the opinion of the umpire, can be handled by an infielder, the Infield Fly Rule shall be invoked and the batter is called out. The base runners may advance at their own peril." Their peril-- Their peril? Their peril! I've got to think! No, no! I mustn't think!

ABBY:

(SINGS, FROM NEXT ROOM) Can you bake a cherry pie, Matty boy, Matty boy?

MATTHEW:

(DISMAYED, TO HIMSELF) Oh, no! She's absolutely certain now she can do anything she wants to! I've got to act on the spur of the moment. Keep my mind crowded with something else.

SOUND:

MATTHEW WALKS TO CABIN DOOR WHICH OPENS

MATTHEW:

(FOR ABBY'S BENEFIT) Ohhh. Oh, it's a lovely day.

SOUND:

DURING NEXT LINE, MATTHEW CLOSES DOOR AND WALKS TO CAR DOOR WHICH OPENS, CLIMBS IN AND SHUTS DOOR

MATTHEW:

(TO HIMSELF) "Breathes there a man with soul so dead--?" "'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves / Did gyre and gimble in the wabe." (CHUCKLES) "Froggy went a-courting and he did ride, sword and pistol by his side / Ring tom body mitch-i-cambo."

SOUND:

MATTHEW STARTS CAR ENGINE AND DRIVES OFF

MATTHEW:

(SIGHS WITH RELIEF WHEN CAR STARTS; THEN WITH GUSTO) "Full fathom five, my father lies / Of his bones are coral made; / Sea birds hourly toll his knell; / Hark! I hear them, -- ding, dong, dell!"

SOUND:

HARP GLISSANDO

ABBY:

(GOOD-NATURED) That's pretty.

MATTHEW:

(STARTLED INHALATION)

SOUND:

CAR SCREECHES TO HALT

MATTHEW:

Abby!

ABBY:

Where are we going?

MATTHEW:

(EXASPERATED) Oh, Abby.

ABBY:

Hmmm?

MATTHEW:

What are you doing here?

ABBY:

I couldn't let you leave without me. (SULTRY) I've got plans for you.

MATTHEW:

Oh?

ABBY:

Very interesting plans.

MATTHEW:

But how could you tell I left? I was thinking all sorts of other things.

ABBY:

Mm hm. Matt, you were thinkin' some of the cutest little rhymes. Oh, but that was on top.

MATTHEW:

On top?

ABBY:

Why, sure. Way underneath, I could hear plain what you were thinkin', about runnin' away in this old car.

MATTHEW:

Well, then -- why didn't you stop me? Conk out the motor or something?

ABBY:

Oh, I didn't want to. I told you I could see way down underneath the top of your thinkin'. And you know what I found there? All the time -- even when you were makin' me unhappy to test all them strange things I learned how to do -- way down deep -- you're in love with me.

MATTHEW:

I am?

ABBY:

Surely, true. So. We're going to get married.

MATTHEW:

Are we?

ABBY:

Mm hm! There isn't much you can do about it now, is there?

MATTHEW:

(SIGHS, CHUCKLES) No. No, I suppose not, but-- You know, it's a frightening thought getting married to you, Abby. A wife who can read your mind; and -- all the rest.

ABBY:

(CHUCKLES) Oh, I wouldn't worry about it, darlin'. Why, I can only do those things when I'm downright miserable. Everything will be perfectly all right. (SLOWLY) Just as long as you keep me happy.

MUSIC:

FOR A TUMULTUOUS FINISH, PUNCTUATED BY AN OMINOUS CLAP OF THUNDER

ANNOUNCER:

You have just heard "X Minus One," presented by the National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine which this month features "Early Model," by Robert Sheckley, the story of a man who found that invulnerability was a fine asset when opening a new planet, provided you don't overdo it. Galaxy Magazine, on your newsstand today.

MUSIC:

SNEAKS IN UNDER FOLLOWING--

ANNOUNCER:

Tonight, by transcription, "X Minus One" has brought you "Wherever You May Be," a story from the pages of Galaxy written by James E. Gunn and adapted for radio by Ernest Kinoy. Featured in the cast were William Redfield, Patsy O'Shea and Jack Orrison. Your announcer, Fred Collins. "X Minus One" was directed by Daniel Sutter and is an NBC Radio Network production.

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UP FOR A FINISH

NBC ANNCR:

Be sure to hear "X Minus One" one-half hour earlier next week over most NBC radio stations. Check your local newspaper for the exact time. This is the NBC Radio Network.

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NBC CHIMES