MUSIC:

UP and UNDER

ANNC:

For the benefit of those who may not have heard the earlier episodes, let us explain: Flash Gordon, the internationally famous American athlete, and Dale Arden, his beautiful American sweetheart, and Dr. Zarkov, the well known scientist, were thrown onto the new planet Mongo when their experimental rocketship crashed.

After a series of adventures with the Emperor Ming the Merciless, and his beautiful daughter, Aura, who fell deeply in love with Flash, the two Americans, together with Dr. Zarkov, Thun, Prince of the Lionmen, and Prince Barin were sentenced to the prison city of the Hawkmen. There the men were tortured while King Vultan, mighty ruler of the Hawkmen made plans to marry Dale. Flash and his companions escaped from the torture chambers and Flash found Dale in time to save her from the marriage, but they were trapped by soldiers and again fell into Vultan's hands.

SFX:

(crumbling walls/shifting floor continues under dialog)

ANNC:

Then there was a terrible rumbling sound, the floor began to shift, the walls began to crack open, and the lights went out.

Now we continue the story.

In the crumbling palace of Vultan, amid the shouts of the disorganized guards, Flash and Dale break away as the mighty King flies into the air, and hurling himself on Flash, drags him to the floor and prepares to execute him by his own hands. Meanwhile, Dr. Zarkov and Prince Barin are rushing towards the throne room.

Zarkov:

Nice work, Barin. Now to strike our bargain with Vultan, if we are not too late.

Barin:

With the light beam diffusing at the present rate, friend Zarkov, the city will remain in mid air for only another half hour.

Zarkov:

If Vultan will listen to us, there will be enough time, but we must not waste one minute. Here we are at the throne room.

Barin:

Look, Vultan has his sword at Flash Gordon's throat.

Zarkov:

Stop! Stop! Wait!

Vultan:

Who dares give me orders?

Zarkov:

I do. I can save your city. But if you harm Flash Gordon, I will doom this city and all of your Hawkmen to destruction.

Vultan:

All of my radium is gone . . . you destroyed that yourselves. How can you save us?

Zarkov:

Prince Barin and I have been experimenting with other atom rays.

Vultan:

Ha! Experimenting! Enough of this. I should have killed Flash Gordon but for your arrival and bluff. Now I shall finish the job.

Dale:

Oh, Flash, my darling.

Flash:

Be brave, Dale. This big windbag is bluffing now.

Vultan:

Bluffing am I? I will show you.

Barin:

Listen to us you fool. Your city will remain suspended only twenty minutes more. There is no time to waste.

Vultan:

What do you think you can do to save the city?

Zarkov:

We have found a way to make new light beams to hold the city safely suspended in the air.

Vultan:

What kind of trick is this?

Barin:

It is no trick.

Vultan:

Then let us see what you propose to do.

Zarkov:

I will save your city on one condition.

Vultan:

You know when to drive a bargain oh wizard of the Earth. Very well, Flash Gordon shall go free if you save my city.

Flash:

You must also free Dale and Zarkov and Barin.

Zarkov:

Absolutely.

Barin:

Be quick Vultan, your precious minutes are flying.

Zarkov:

Give us your answer.

Vultan:

I will pardon you all if my city is saved.

Zarkov:

Good, then follow me.

Vultan:

Where are you going to take us.

Zarkov:

Into this private elevator first.

SFX:

(elevator hum)

Flash:

Where are we going, Dr. Zarkov?

Zarkov:

Barin and I discovered a room under the hall of atomic power which stored scientific apparatus. With the help of slaves, we constructed my newest invention, didnt we Barin?

Barin:

Yes, we did, friend Zarkov. I only hope this bull-headed monarch hasn't delayed us too long with his arguing. There isnt much time left to save the city.

Dale:

We are tipping over. How much further do we have to descend?

Zarkov:

We will be below the foundation in just a moment.

Vultan:

What is this remarkable discovery, wizard of the Earth?

Zarkov:

You shall see, you shall see.

SFX:

(elevator stops)

Barin:

We are here. Hurry out everyone.

Flash:

Hold fast to my hand, Dale.

Dale:

Oh, Flash, do you think Dr. Zarkov will be able to save us?

Flash:

I know he will do his best.

Zarkov:

There is my invention.

Vultan:

What is that massive tubes and wires?

Zarkov:

This electrical machine is an atomic light solidifier.

Vultan:

It will strengthen the beam?

Zarkov:

Yes. Keep everybody back, Barin. I must have room to work.

Barin:

Stand back everybody.

Vultan:

Barin, do you think this machine will work?

Barin:

Be quiet. Professor Zarkov is throwing the switch.

SFX:

(electricity crackles)

Dale:

What is that weird bluish light?

Flash:

New rays made from the atoms, Dale. Why the city seems to be getting back on an even keel.

Vultan:

By Pau-oo so it is!

Barin:

How is it working, friend Zarkov?

Zarkov:

Splendid, so far. The light beams supporting the city are becoming stronger and stronger.

Barin:

Then the city is saved?

Zarkov:

The city is saved!

Vultan:

By Pau-oo he has done it. All of you are free.

Flash:

Why Dale, you're crying.

Dale:

I am so happy we're saved.

Vultan:

Zarkov, come here.

Barin:

He said he could do it, and he did.

Zarkov:

Yes, King Vultan, you summoned me?

Vultan:

Zarkov, you shall be my head scientist.

Zarkov:

Vultan, this is more than I expect. I am grateful, deeply grateful and appreciate the honor.

Vultan:

Flash and Dale.

Dale:

Yes, impressive majesty.

Flash:

What is it, King Vultan.

Vultan:

As proof of our future friendship, I shall give you a royal wedding tomorrow, and tonight we shall have a banquet to celebrate it.

SFX:

(MUSIC and crowd noise)

Flash:

Are you having a good time, Dale?

Dale:

A wonderful time, Flash. It hardly seems possible that we shall be married tomorrow. I don't dare believe it until we are actually being married.

Flash:

You mustn't feel that way, Dale, it's just nerve.

Barin:

Well, my friends, tomorrow will be the big day.

Dale:

I am not so sure.

Flash:

Dale is just worrying about nothing, Barin.

Barin:

Hmmm. It's almost tomorrow, Dale, what can happen now?

Dale:

During the excitement of the certain destruction of the city, the Princess Aura disappeared.

Barin:

Oh, is that all that worries you? I should think you would be glad she is not here.

Flash:

I am.

Vultan:

Well, well, love birds, are you enjoying yourselves?

Dale:

Oh, yes. Thank you, impressive majesty.

Guard:

(off mike) Majesty! Majesty!

Vultan:

Yes, what is it?

Guard:

(off mike) The airship of Ming the Merciless is approaching the city

SFX:

(murmurs of alarm)

Vultan:

This means trouble.

Dale:

What did I tell you. There will be no wedding for us tomorrow.

Vultan:

We will die fighting.

Flash:

No, Vultan. Let us take our chances on escaping. Give us a rocketship.

Zarkov:

It is no use, Flash. They were damaged when the city tilted.

SFX:

(trumpets)

Slave:

His universal majesty, Emperor of Mongo, Ming the Merciless.

Dale:

And Princess Aura. Now there will be trouble.

Flash:

Steady, Dale, darling. There will be a way out of this.

Vultan:

Greetings and welcome, Emperor Ming.

Ming:

So, Vultan, you have become friends with the prisoners. Turn over this Earthman to my torturers and to me deliver my promised bride, Dale Arden. I command it!

Aura:

No, father. You promised Flash Gordon to me as my share of the spoils.

Vultan:

Hold, Ming. By the ancient laws of Mongo, by the sacred laws of the great Pau-oo, who is all wise, I call for a tournament of death.

Ming:

A tournament? And this fellow Flash Gordon would enter?

Vultan:

Yes.

Ming:

A tournament. Then all the planet would see him fail and die. So be it.

SFX:

(trumpet call)

ANNC:

Between four mountains, nestled a massive bowl-shaped arena, toward which most of Mongo pours in never-ending streams to the tournament of death in which all of the contestants but one will meet death. And Flash Gordon is going enter. He and Dale occupy seats of honor in Vultan's box. Princess Aura enters the arena on a golden throne carried by six blue dragonmen.

Flash:

Here comes Aura in all of her glory.

Vultan:

She is vile, treacherous and cruel. Ah ha ha. That my boy, is a beauty.

Dale:

Oh, I don't know about that.

SFX:

(Lion roars)

Vultan:

Here comes Droobridge, King of the Lionmen.

Flash:

The dragonmen are frightened by the lions. They've dropped the Princess.

Vultan:

Ah, stay where you are, my boy. Prince Barin is already picking her up.

Dale:

She seems to be smiling at him . . . (fade out) I wonder what she's saying . . .

Aura:

(fade in) Prince Barin, you have saved my life. Why did you do it, after the way I treated you?

Barin:

Because, my Princess, you are a woman. A beautiful woman. And I can no longer deny the fact that I love you . . . (fade out)

Dale:

(fade in) But whatever it is she's saying, I wish she would get interested in somebody else and leave you alone, Flash.

SFX:

(trumpet call)

Vultan:

The tournament is about to begin, Flash. There is your horse. Here, take this sword, my boy. It's the one with which I became King of the Hawkmen. Take it and justify my faith in you.

Dale:

And my faith, too.

Flash:

Thanks darling. And thank you, Vultan. I will do my best.

ANNC:

In another box, Prince Barin reaches a decision.

Barin:

Zarkov, I am going to enter the tournament and win back my kingdom, and Ming's daughter, Princess Aura. for my bride.

Zarkov:

Do not be a fool, Prince Barin. Why do you risk being killed?

Barin:

Wish me luck, my friend, I go to do battle.

SFX:

(trumpet call) SFX: (horse cantor)

ANNC:

It is a battle royale, with every horseman for himself. As the battle rages around him, Flash is beset by two yellow guardsmen. He vanquishes one and as he is attacked by the other, he falls from his horse. Before the yellow man can drive home a death thrust, a masked rider saves Flash, and the first great test of the tournament of death ends. A banquet is held for the survivors.

MUSIC:

Under

Dale:

Are you sure you're alright, Flash?

Flash:

Why of course, Dale.

Dale:

If it hadnt been for that masked fighter, you would be dead now. Oh, why did you enter this horrible tournament.

Flash:

To win freedom, a kingdom, and whats more important, you.

Dale:

My dear. Look, the masked fighter is with Princess Aura.

Aura:

Ahh, the masked champion. Are you a criminal fearing arrest, or a noble fearing recognition?

Barin:

Blue blood, or red, my lady, it will flow in the arena just as freely for your amusement.

Aura:

Here, wear this scarf as a token, but do not stain it with your blood.

Barin:

Fair lady, a kiss from your gorgeous lips and I would face the legions of Pau-oo.

Aura:

Insolent one. Ha ha ha. I would have you tortured.

SFX:

(trumpet call)

Barin:

You cannot punish the living dead of the tournament. Goodbye you beautiful devil. I go to fight for your hand!

Flash:

That masked champion, I swear I know his voice. The call has sounded. I must go back to the fight. Goodbye, Dale.

Dale:

Goodbye and good luck my darling.

SFX:

(trumpet call)

Dale:

Oh, King Vultan, when will this awful tournament end?

Vultan:

I know it seems horrible to you, little bird, but it is better that Flash should die honorably in the field of battle than at the hands of Ming's torturers. If he wins this final event, he will be a King. And you will be his Queen.

SFX:

(trumpet call)

ANNC:

The trumpets blow and the last contestants line up. Two by two they mount the sky rope stretched over a flaming pool to joust with swords, and one after another they are eliminated by death. Finally, only Flash Gordon and the masked champion are left. Flash loses his balance and falls down toward the flaming pool, but his hand catches hold of the rope and he hangs on. The masked champion, thrown off balance, all but falls, but saves himself by grasping Flash Gordon's legs. His mask falls off, revealing Prince Barin. The crowd demands that both men shall live and they are brought before Vultan and Ming the Merciless.

Vultan:

None of your trickery Ming. You will proclaim them both Kings.

Ming:

So be it. But I shall chose their kingdoms. To Prince Barin and my daughter Aura I give the Kingdom of the Forest. To Flash Gordon and the Earthgirl I give the Kingdom of the Caves.

Vultan:

You fiend! You know neither kingdom has been conquered.

Ming:

True, Vultan, but these are brave men. Let them try. They can hold their weddings in their own kingdoms . . . if they live that long.

MUSIC:

UP and UNDER

ANNC:

What will happen to Flash Gordon when he attempts to rule over the unconquered Kingdom of the Caves? You will know next week at the same when we will be back with another chapter of the Amazing Interplanetary Adventures of Flash Gordon!