ANNOUNCER:
And now--
SOUND:
ECHOING FOOTSTEPS
ANNOUNCER:
THE HALL OF FANTASY!
MUSIC:
ECHOING DRUMBEATS ... THEN IN BG--
ANNOUNCER:
Welcome to THE HALL OF FANTASY. Welcome to the series of radio dramas dedicated to the supernatural, the unusual, and the unknown. Come with me, my friends. We shall descend into the world of the unknown and forbidden, down to the depths where the veil of time is lifted and the supernatural reigns as king. Come with me and listen to the tale of--
MUSIC:
SHARPLY OUT
ANNOUNCER:
"The Automaton"!
MUSIC:
GONG!
ZIEGLER:
Over here is what I call its brain. Put the power on, Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH:
Yes, Father.
SOUND:
CLICK! OF SWITCH ... HUM! OF MACHINE ... THEN IN BG--
ZIEGLER:
I've only begun on the binary system, but watch.
SOUND:
CLICK! OF SWITCH ... SLOW STEADY BEEPING BEGINS ... THEN IN BG--
SHERIDAN:
(QUIETLY ASTONISHED) Why, it's moving. It's - sitting up.
ZIEGLER:
Yes.
SOUND:
CRUNCH! OF METAL FEET ON FLOOR
SHERIDAN:
It's getting down off the table.
ZIEGLER:
And now you'll see a sight that no one else has ever seen before.
SOUND:
SLOW STEADY CRUNCH! OF WALKING METAL FEET ON FLOOR ... THEN IN BG--
SHERIDAN:
It's walking around the laboratory.
ZIEGLER:
Yes. You're witnessing the first movements of a new creation, superior to man in that it will never tire. A servant to man -- for that will be its place in the future. A machine that looks like a man and will be able to think like one.
MUSIC:
GONG!
ANNOUNCER:
THE HALL OF FANTASY will present "The Automaton" in just a moment.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
ANNOUNCER:
"The Automaton"!
MUSIC:
FOR A BRIEF INTRODUCTION ... THEN BEHIND SHERIDAN--
SHERIDAN:
(NARRATES) I first met Dr. Eric Ziegler at the Conference on Scientific Research. I knew of him, of course. His name was famous throughout the world as one of the foremost experts on automatic control. It was the closing session of the conference when he made his now-famous speech.
SOUND:
LECTURE HALL BACKGROUND ... OCCASIONAL COUGH FROM THE CROWD
ZIEGLER:
(SLIGHT ECHO) And in conclusion, gentlemen, may I say that mankind can expect this technological advance to continue. He can look forward to the future in the secure knowledge that his life will become easier and longer through the advances we make -- that he will be free to direct his energies towards the conquering of new frontiers, bringing him closer to the day when he will stand alone over all the universe.
MAN:
Bravo! Bravo!
SOUND:
APPLAUSE, WHICH SUBSIDES BEHIND SHERIDAN ... CROWD MURMUR CONTINUES IN BG--
SHERIDAN:
(NARRATES) His speech so aroused me that I couldn't help making my way to the speaker's platform, pushing my way through the crowd which surrounded him in order to congratulate him.
MAN:
Congratulations, Dr. Ziegler.
SHERIDAN:
(APPROACHES) Dr. Ziegler?! Dr. Ziegler--?
ZIEGLER:
Yes, yes?
SHERIDAN:
My name is Drake Sheridan. I just wanted to tell you I thought your speech was the best thing I've ever heard.
ZIEGLER:
I take that as a compliment coming from you, Dr. Sheridan. I know about your work.
SHERIDAN:
Oh, nothing at all compared to yours, sir.
ZIEGLER:
Dr. Sheridan, I'd like to talk to you further. Why don't you come to my house this evening?
SHERIDAN:
(SURPRISED) What time?
ZIEGLER:
After dinner. About eight-thirty. Here's my card.
SHERIDAN:
Well, thank you, sir.
ZIEGLER:
You'll be there?
SHERIDAN:
Of course.
ZIEGLER:
I'll see you then.
MUSIC:
BRIDGE
SOUND:
TAP-TAP-TAP! OF KNOCKER ON FRONT DOOR, WHICH OPENS
ELIZABETH:
Yes?
SHERIDAN:
I, er, came to see Dr. Ziegler.
ELIZABETH:
Oh, your name?
SHERIDAN:
Drake Sheridan.
ELIZABETH:
Oh, yes. He's been expecting you. Won't you come in?
SHERIDAN:
Thank you.
ELIZABETH:
Just follow me.
SOUND:
DOOR CLOSES
ZIEGLER:
(FADES IN, DICTATING A REPORT) "--was the most interesting effect of all." Er, new paragraph. Uhhh-- "The success of the automaton of which I am speaking is dependent upon the excellence of the brain I can give him. My work has become so--"
ELIZABETH:
(INTERRUPTS GENTLY) Dr. Sheridan is here, Father.
ZIEGLER:
Oh, oh, excuse me.
SOUND:
CLICK! OF DICTAPHONE SWITCH
ZIEGLER:
I do hope you'll forgive me, Dr. Sheridan.
SHERIDAN:
Of course, sir.
ZIEGLER:
I was dictating my report on a project on which I am now working. Please be seated. And before I forget, this is my daughter, Elizabeth.
SHERIDAN:
How do you do?
ELIZABETH:
A pleasure.
SHERIDAN:
Thank you.
ZIEGLER:
Er, drink, perhaps, Dr. Sheridan?
SHERIDAN:
Yes, I, er-- I could stand one.
ZIEGLER:
Yes. Any particular preference?
SHERIDAN:
No, no.
ZIEGLER:
Would you do the honors, Elizabeth?
ELIZABETH:
Of course, Father.
SOUND:
ELIZABETH FIXES DRINKS, IN BG--
ZIEGLER:
(CLEARS THROAT) Dr. Sheridan, perhaps you're wondering why I asked you to come here.
SHERIDAN:
(LIGHTLY) I, er, have been, but I consider it a privilege and an honor to be here.
ZIEGLER:
(CHUCKLES) Thank you for the compliment. But it wasn't necessary. You may be interested to know that I've followed your career quite closely. From what I have gathered, you're a very intelligent young man.
SHERIDAN:
Thank you, Dr. Ziegler.
ZIEGLER:
I'm not complimenting you to make you feel comfortable, Dr. Sheridan. No, I mean what I say.
SHERIDAN:
Exactly why did you ask me here, Dr. Ziegler?
ZIEGLER:
To talk to you. To see what kind of a person you are.
ELIZABETH:
(APPROACHES) And here are your drinks.
SHERIDAN:
Oh, thank you.
ZIEGLER:
Thank you, my dear. (DRINKS, WITH PLEASURE) Ah, it's just right, Elizabeth. Yes. (CHANGES SUBJECT, MORE SERIOUS) Dr. Sheridan, I'm going to be completely frank with you. I am working on a private project, financed with my own money, completely divorced from my work at the Research Institute.
SHERIDAN:
Mm hm.
ZIEGLER:
My daughter has been helping me with this work, but unfortunately she does not have the knowledge nor the training to be of anything more than elementary assistance.
SHERIDAN:
I see.
ZIEGLER:
I am interested in finding an assistant who will devote his full time with me to the work I am doing.
SHERIDAN:
You mean you intend to leave the Institute?
ZIEGLER:
Yes, yes. My work is finished there, and besides, I want to devote more time to this particular project of which I am speaking.
SHERIDAN:
What's the nature of your work?
ZIEGLER:
Automatic control, of course. Er, would you be interested in working with me?
SHERIDAN:
(UNCERTAIN) It's a great honor, sir.
ZIEGLER:
I will make it worth your while.
SHERIDAN:
I'd like to know exactly what you're working on before I make any decision.
ZIEGLER:
I believe I can trust you. I - I have a building some miles outside of the city which serves as my own personal research laboratory. We might as well drive out there. That is, if you're interested.
SHERIDAN:
Oh, I certainly am.
ZIEGLER:
Good, good. Elizabeth, get the car from the garage, please. We'll drive out tonight.
MUSIC:
BRIDGE
SOUND:
SLOW FOOTSTEPS ... THEN OUT BEHIND--
SHERIDAN:
You certainly have it well-equipped, Dr. Ziegler.
ZIEGLER:
I wanted to show you that you would be working with only the finest of equipment.
WATCHMAN:
(FROM OFF) Who's there?!
SHERIDAN:
(SURPRISED) What's that?
ELIZABETH:
(LOW) That's the watchman.
ZIEGLER:
(CALLS) It's nothing to worry about, Bert!
WATCHMAN:
(SLIGHTLY OFF) Oh, it's you, Dr. Ziegler. I didn't hear you come in.
ZIEGLER:
It's all right. We'll check out with you when we leave.
WATCHMAN:
(MOVING OFF) All right, sir.
ZIEGLER:
Will you open the door, Elizabeth?
ELIZABETH:
Of course.
SOUND:
HEAVY LAB DOOR UNLOCKS AND OPENS
ZIEGLER:
All right, let's go in.
SOUND:
BEAT, THEN HEAVY LAB DOOR CLOSES
ZIEGLER:
I'll put on the lights.
SOUND:
CLICK! OF LIGHT SWITCH
ZIEGLER:
Now you'll see what I've been working on for the past year.
SHERIDAN:
(TAKEN ABACK) That sheet-draped figure on the table over there, what is it?
ZIEGLER:
My newest research project in automatic control.
SHERIDAN:
But-- What--?
ZIEGLER:
(INTERRUPTS) You'll see, you'll see.
SHERIDAN:
(UNEASY) It looks like a human body underneath that sheet.
ZIEGLER:
Not quite. Here. I'll pull back the sheet.
SOUND:
ZIEGLER'S STEPS TO BODY ... SHEET PULLED AWAY
SHERIDAN:
(SLOWLY REALIZES) No, it isn't a ---- human body.
ZIEGLER:
That's correct. What do you think of it, Sheridan? What do you think of my automaton?
SHERIDAN:
Is it finished?
ZIEGLER:
Not yet. But soon. With your help.
SHERIDAN:
A mechanical man. A robot shaped exactly like a human being.
ZIEGLER:
What better form could I give him? After all, our own bodies evolved to what we are today. Why should I attempt to improve on nature?
SHERIDAN:
What do you intend doing with-- with him when you finish?
ZIEGLER:
Tell him, Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH:
(WITH QUIET ENTHUSIASM) Well, this automaton will be able to do all of the hard and painstaking work of mankind without ever getting tired. It can fight his wars. It can be the first to explore outer space. It can free mankind to direct his energies to - to other channels.
SHERIDAN:
(DOUBTFUL) I don't know.
ZIEGLER:
Oh, come, come, Sheridan. You look at the automaton as if you thought he was some Frankenstein monster. Believe me, this is the farthest thing from that imaginary creature. This is a work of science. This is not a monster created from the dark recesses of someone's imagination. (SLOWLY, POINTEDLY) This is our key to the future.
MUSIC:
GONG!
ANNOUNCER:
We'll return to THE HALL OF FANTASY and the tale of "The Automaton" in just a moment.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
ANNOUNCER:
Back now to THE HALL OF FANTASY and the tale of - "The Automaton".
MUSIC:
BRIEF INTRO ... THEN BEHIND SHERIDAN--
SHERIDAN:
(NARRATES) Dr. Eric Ziegler, his daughter, and I stood looking down at the metallic figure lying on the table before us. In all respects, it resembled a man -- a metal and plastic man -- created by the genius of Ziegler.
ZIEGLER:
This is all key to the future. This automaton will free man from labor. Let him develop his mind to the fullest.
SHERIDAN:
How much longer do you think you'll have to work before it's finished?
ZIEGLER:
I can't tell. That's why I need you -- to help me set up the automatic self-regulation of its brain.
SHERIDAN:
Then you haven't developed the system of feedback yet?
ZIEGLER:
No. As you are aware, that is the basic machine of all self-regulating systems of automatic control. A man's mind is a complex creation. The mind of the automaton must also be complex in order that it can do the work of a man, in order that it can think and regulate itself.
ELIZABETH:
Why don't you show him what you've accomplished so far in the feedback system?
ZIEGLER:
All right.
SOUND:
ZIEGLER'S STEPS TO CONTROL
ZIEGLER:
Now, over here is what I call its brain. Put the power on, Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH:
(OFF) Yes, Father.
SOUND:
CLICK! OF SWITCH ... HUM! OF MACHINE ... THEN IN BG--
ZIEGLER:
I've only begun on the binary system, but watch.
SOUND:
CLICK! OF SWITCH ... SLOW STEADY BEEPING BEGINS, CONTINUES IN BG ... THE AUTOMATON SLOWLY STIRS
SHERIDAN:
(QUIETLY ASTONISHED) It's moving. It's - it's sitting up.
ZIEGLER:
Yes.
SOUND:
CRUNCH! OF METAL FEET ON FLOOR
SHERIDAN:
It's getting down off the table.
ZIEGLER:
And now you'll see a sight that no one else has ever seen before.
SOUND:
SLOW STEADY CRUNCH! OF WALKING METAL FEET ON FLOOR ... THEN IN BG--
SHERIDAN:
It's walking around the laboratory!
ZIEGLER:
Yes. You're witnessing the first movements of a new creation, superior to man in that it will never tire. Servant to man -- for that will be its place in the future. A machine that looks like a man and will be able to think like one.
SOUND:
CLICK! OF SWITCH ... METAL FEET STOP
ZIEGLER:
I shall return him to the table now.
SOUND:
CRUNCH! CRUNCH! OF METAL AUTOMATON CLIMBING BACK ON THE TABLE
SHERIDAN:
(AMAZED) It's climbed back up on the table.
ZIEGLER:
And it's lying down again.
SOUND:
AUTOMATON LIES DOWN
ZIEGLER:
All right. Turn off the power, Elizabeth.
SOUND:
CLICK! OF SWITCH ... HUMMING AND BEEPING STOPS
ZIEGLER:
Well, Sheridan, what do you think now?
SHERIDAN:
I'm afraid I don't know what to think.
ZIEGLER:
Will you work with me?
SHERIDAN:
I-- Oh, yes. Who wouldn't jump at the chance? Of course I will.
ZIEGLER:
Good, good.
ELIZABETH:
You understand, of course, that the feedback system and the binary scale are still in their elementary stages. When the brain -- the - the automatic control -- is finished, it will fit inside the automaton's body and head.
ZIEGLER:
That's correct. There will be controls on the robot's chest to set the automatic control to working and another to stop the machine if it needs to be repaired. Of course, our largest task will be to develop a complete automatic self-regulatory system to fit inside the robot's body. As soon as you can be free--
SHERIDAN:
Which should be in about two weeks.
ZIEGLER:
Good. Then we shall begin work on the final stages that will lead to the completion of - the automaton.
MUSIC:
BRIDGE ... THEN BEHIND SHERIDAN--
SHERIDAN:
(NARRATES) Rather than completely sever my relations with the organization for which I worked, I took an extended leave of absence. There were living quarters in the laboratory in the country. Ziegler shut down his house in the city, and he and his daughter and I moved our belongings to the laboratory, in order to devote every possible minute to our work. (BEAT) Not only was Ziegler intent on having the automaton think for itself, but he was also insistent that the robot be able to talk. To those ends, we went to work.
ZIEGLER:
If we were right in our calculations, the amplifier and receiver we have built into the mechanism will convert our words into electrical impulses, which in turn will activate a response from the automaton. Those responses themselves will be electrical impulses which will be converted into words.
SHERIDAN:
Well, why don't we try it and see, Eric?
ZIEGLER:
We might as well, I suppose.
SHERIDAN:
After all, the automatic control is almost finished. We only have the more complex reactions to set in the binary scale.
ZIEGLER:
All right. Turn the control on his chest.
SOUND:
CLICK! OF SWITCH ... HUMMING! AND SLOW STEADY BEEPING! OF MACHINE ... THEN IN BG--
SHERIDAN:
It's on.
ZIEGLER:
We'll see what happens. (TO AUTOMATON) I order you to sit up!
SOUND:
AUTOMATON SITS UP
SHERIDAN:
It's sitting up.
ZIEGLER:
Yes. (TO AUTOMATON) Er, jump down to the floor!
SOUND:
CRUNCH! CRUNCH! OF METAL FEET AS AUTOMATON JUMPS DOWN TO FLOOR
ZIEGLER:
(TO AUTOMATON) I want you to answer me with your voice! What have you been created for?!
AUTOMATON:
To - kill.
SHERIDAN:
(ASIDE) That's not the right reaction.
ZIEGLER:
(TO AUTOMATON) What was that?!
AUTOMATON:
Cor-rec-tion. To - work.
ZIEGLER:
(TO AUTOMATON) That's right!
SHERIDAN:
We must have made a mistake somewhere along the line in the reactions we set up. That "to kill" value is present for only one situation -- for personal protection.
SOUND:
LAB DOOR OPENS
ELIZABETH:
(ENTERS, CASUAL) I thought I'd come up and-- (SUDDENLY TENSE) What are you doing?
SHERIDAN:
Well, we're just conducting a test.
AUTOMATON:
Wo-man.
ZIEGLER:
That's correct.
SOUND:
CRUNCH! OF METAL FEET WALKING TO ELIZABETH ... THEN IN BG--
AUTOMATON:
Wo-man.
ELIZABETH:
(UNNERVED) Stay back. Stay away from me.
SOUND:
WALKING STOPS
ZIEGLER:
Elizabeth, be quiet. He wasn't going to hurt you.
ELIZABETH:
I - I'm sorry. He started toward me. Frightened me.
ZIEGLER:
You see? He's stopped now. There's nothing to fear.
AUTOMATON:
No-thing - to - fear.
ZIEGLER:
(TO AUTOMATON) Get back! Back to the table!
SOUND:
CRUNCH! OF METAL FEET WALKING TO TABLE
ZIEGLER:
(TO AUTOMATON) Lie down again!
SOUND:
CRUNCH! ET CETERA ... OF AUTOMATON CLIMBING ON TABLE AND LYING DOWN
ZIEGLER:
Turn off the control, Drake.
SHERIDAN:
Right.
SOUND:
CLICK! OF SWITCH ... HUM! AND BEEP! OF MACHINE STOPS
ZIEGLER:
What's the matter, Elizabeth? You're shaking.
ELIZABETH:
(SHAKEN) Why, it's just that that thing frightened me so. It-- Those lenses that it has for eyes; there's - there's something hypnotic about them. He looks so much like a man. I know he's made of plastic and metal, but - but-- Well, I fear him.
ZIEGLER:
Elizabeth, there's no sense getting emotional about this. There's nothing to be afraid of.
ELIZABETH:
I know you're right, Father, but--
ZIEGLER:
But what?
ELIZABETH:
But what would happen if you ever lost control of the automaton?
ZIEGLER:
(BEAT, FLATLY) That will never happen.
ELIZABETH:
But-- Is it possible?
ZIEGLER:
(CONCEDES) Mm. Perhaps.
MUSIC:
ACCENT ... THEN BEHIND SHERIDAN--
SHERIDAN:
(NARRATES) We didn't do any more work on the automaton that day. We went into the city in the early evening to see a play, leaving the watchman at the laboratory to take care of things. We got back about twelve and were having a late snack.
SOUND:
COFFEE CUPS, SAUCERS, ET CETERA ... IN AGREEMENT WITH--
ELIZABETH:
More coffee, Drake?
SHERIDAN:
Oh, yes. Please.
ZIEGLER:
I think it did us good to get away from here this evening. We've all been working too hard. Er, do you feel better now, Elizabeth?
ELIZABETH:
(CHUCKLES) Oh, yes, Father, much better.
ZIEGLER:
(PLEASED) Ja. Tomorrow we can finish up with the automaton. Then we can show him -- after suitable tests, of course -- to the world.
SHERIDAN:
Ah, if we're successful, you ought to win a prize.
WATCHMAN:
(OFF, HALF-STRANGLED SCREAM)
ELIZABETH:
What was that?
SHERIDAN:
Someone screamed.
ZIEGLER:
It came from upstairs. We'd better take a look.
SOUND:
HURRIED FOOTSTEPS AS ALL THREE RUN UP THE STAIRS, IN BG--
SHERIDAN:
Who could it have been?
ELIZABETH:
The only other person up there is Bert, the watchman.
WATCHMAN:
(OFF, BLOODCURDLING SCREAM)
SHERIDAN:
There it is again! Hurry!
SOUND:
FOOTSTEPS REACH THE TOP OF THE STAIRS ... CONTINUE IN AGREEMENT WITH--
ELIZABETH:
Look!
SHERIDAN:
Huh?
ELIZABETH:
The door to the laboratory. It's open.
ZIEGLER:
He must be in there.
SHERIDAN:
The lights are on.
ZIEGLER:
We'll see what's wrong in a second.
SHERIDAN:
All right.
SOUND:
A LAST FEW FOOTSTEPS ... THEN OUT
ELIZABETH:
(PAUSE, QUIETLY HORRIFIED) Oh, no.
SHERIDAN:
(EXHALES) It's Bert.
ZIEGLER:
What's the matter with him?
SHERIDAN:
(BEAT) His neck's been broken.
ELIZABETH:
(BRIEF GASP)
SHERIDAN:
He's dead.
ZIEGLER:
But how?
SHERIDAN:
I don't know. Only--
ZIEGLER:
(BEAT) What's the matter?
SHERIDAN:
(BEAT, UNCERTAIN) Look, we turned off the control on the robot when we left, didn't we?
ZIEGLER:
Of course we did. Why?
SHERIDAN:
Because-- Because now it's on, Eric. The control is on.
MUSIC:
GONG!
ANNOUNCER:
You are listening to the tale of "The Automaton" on this week's journey down the corridors of THE HALL OF FANTASY. We'll return to our story in just a moment.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
ANNOUNCER:
And now, back to our story, an original tale of fantasy entitled "The Automaton."
MUSIC:
BRIEF INTRO ... THEN BEHIND SHERIDAN--
SHERIDAN:
(NARRATES) On the floor of the laboratory sprawled the broken body of Bert, the night watchman. A scant few feet away, I stood looking down at the inert form of the automaton. Before we had left the laboratory, we had turned off the control, and now we found it on.
SOUND:
HUM! OF MACHINE ... AND SLOW STEADY BEEPING ... BOTH CONTINUE IN BG--
ZIEGLER:
But that isn't possible!
SHERIDAN:
Take a look for yourself.
SOUND:
ZIEGLER'S STEPS TO THE CONTROL
ZIEGLER:
(BEAT) The control is on.
ELIZABETH:
But we turned it off before we left.
SHERIDAN:
Are you sure?
ZIEGLER:
Of course. I turned it off myself.
SHERIDAN:
How did it get on?
ELIZABETH:
Perhaps Bert turned it on.
ZIEGLER:
Why should he do that?
SHERIDAN:
Perhaps he was curious. But the most important thing to find out is -- what killed him.
ELIZABETH:
(BEAT, QUIETLY REALIZES) The robot.
ZIEGLER:
Don't be a fool, Elizabeth. The robot won't kill unless attacked.
SHERIDAN:
That's right, Elizabeth. It's the only reason for it to kill. Actually, the reaction was set in the control system for self-preservation. For no other reason than that. That's the only time the automaton is dangerous.
ELIZABETH:
Maybe you made a mistake when you set the automatic controls.
SHERIDAN:
(CONSIDERS) It's possible that we might have made an error in the feedback system, Eric. And that the automatic selector chose the wrong value. When Bert turned the switch on, the robot thought he was in danger. And killed him.
ZIEGLER:
We didn't make an error in the feedback system, Drake. We checked each value through five times before we placed it in the server mechanism. You know that as well as I do.
SHERIDAN:
Then--? Then how did Bert die?
ZIEGLER:
(EXHALES) I don't know.
AUTOMATON:
Mast-er - of - men.
ELIZABETH:
(DISMAYED) It's still on. Turn it off.
SOUND:
CLICK! OF SWITCH ... HUMMING AND BEEPING STOP
SHERIDAN:
Did--? Did you hear - what it said, Eric?
ZIEGLER:
(MYSTIFIED) "Master of men"?
SHERIDAN:
We didn't set that reaction in the servo-mechanism. Something's wrong.
ELIZABETH:
Do you mean the automaton can - can think for itself?
SHERIDAN:
What about it, Eric?
ZIEGLER:
We'll dismantle it tomorrow morning and check it over thoroughly, just to be sure.
ELIZABETH:
What about Bert?
ZIEGLER:
We'll merely explain to the authorities that he died in an accident here at the laboratory. We can do that in the morning, too. Now we all need a good night's sleep.
ELIZABETH:
Don't you think we ought to move him out of here?
SHERIDAN:
They may want to look at his body, Elizabeth. (SLOWLY) Besides, nothing more can happen to him.
MUSIC:
BRIDGE
SOUND:
SHERIDAN'S SLOW STEPS UP STAIRS ... THEN IN BG, OUT AT [X]--
SHERIDAN:
(LOW) Elizabeth?
ELIZABETH:
(LOW) Who is it?
SHERIDAN:
(LOW) It's Drake. [X] (UP) What are you doing up here on the second floor outside the laboratory?
ELIZABETH:
I-- I couldn't sleep.
SHERIDAN:
Oh. Well-- Neither could I.
ELIZABETH:
Drake, do you think that - that the robot can operate by itself?
SHERIDAN:
(EXHALES) Why do you ask that?
ELIZABETH:
I was thinking. What if--? What if Bert was merely making his rounds? What if he walked into the laboratory, and the robot was there -- waiting for him?
SHERIDAN:
Well, that's-- That's not possible, of course.
ELIZABETH:
I wouldn't say that. Isn't--? Isn't it possible that you and Dad might have made a mistake in setting up the feedback system? Isn't it possible that - that there could be an error in the automatic control system that would allow it to operate without being switched on? Operate enough to at least turn the operating switch on?
SHERIDAN:
Well, it's, uh-- (CLEARS THROAT, CONSIDERS) It's possible that there's something comparable to a short in the control system which would mean that the robot could operate without the control being on. Yes.
ELIZABETH:
I want to go in there and take a look at it.
SHERIDAN:
Why don't you wait until morning?
ELIZABETH:
No, I - I want to see it tonight.
SHERIDAN:
All right. Let's go.
SOUND:
THEIR STEPS TO THE LAB DOOR
SHERIDAN:
Are you - sure you want to go inside?
ELIZABETH:
Yes.
SOUND:
LAB DOOR OPENS
SHERIDAN:
Switch on the lights.
ELIZABETH:
(EXHALES NERVOUSLY)
SOUND:
CLICK! OF LIGHT SWITCH
SHERIDAN:
(BEAT) Well, everything ---- seems to be all right.
ELIZABETH:
Let's take a look at the automaton.
SOUND:
THEIR STEPS TO THE AUTOMATON ... FAINT HUM OF MACHINE, IN BG--
ELIZABETH:
Every time I see it, it frightens me.
SHERIDAN:
There's nothing to be afraid of, Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH:
I'm not so sure.
SHERIDAN:
The control button is still off.
ELIZABETH:
(REALIZES) Wasn't he lying the opposite way, with his head at the other end of the table, when we left?
SHERIDAN:
No, I don't think-- (BEAT) Where's that hum coming from?
ELIZABETH:
I don't know.
SHERIDAN:
Sounds like the robot's power system. Yet the control button is off.
ELIZABETH:
Are you sure?
SHERIDAN:
Let me get a little closer to it.
SOUND:
SHERIDAN'S STEPS TO AUTOMATON ... FAINT HUM GROWS LOUDER ... THEN IN BG--
ELIZABETH:
Well?
SHERIDAN:
(OFF) The hum is coming from the automaton.
ELIZABETH:
That means --- I was right.
SHERIDAN:
(OFF) I guess you--
ELIZABETH:
(INTERRUPTS, SHARPLY) Drake!
SHERIDAN:
(OFF) Huh?
ELIZABETH:
Look out!
AUTOMATON:
Master - of - men!
SOUND:
SHERIDAN'S STEPS SCRAMBLE AWAY FROM THE AUTOMATON
SHERIDAN:
The system is on!
SOUND:
AUTOMATON SITS UP
ELIZABETH:
It's - it's sitting up!
AUTOMATON:
To kill! To kill!
SHERIDAN:
We made a mistake. We must have made a mistake.
SOUND:
CRUNCH! OF METAL AS AUTOMATON JUMPS OFF TABLE
ELIZABETH:
It's getting down!
SHERIDAN:
Let's get out of here!
SOUND:
THEIR HURRIED STEPS TO LAB DOOR
ELIZABETH:
Is--? Is it following us?
SHERIDAN:
No, it's just standing there. But it will be after us in a few seconds.
ELIZABETH:
Hurry, hurry!
SHERIDAN:
(WITH EFFORT) Let's get this door closed and locked!
SOUND:
LAB DOOR CLOSES AND LOCKS
ELIZABETH:
I can see it through the glass panel. It's starting towards the door.
SOUND:
DURING ABOVE, ZIEGLER'S HURRIED STEPS APPROACH
ZIEGLER:
(APPROACHES) I heard some noise up here. What's the matter?
SHERIDAN:
The automaton's in operation -- without the control being on!
ZIEGLER:
What?!
SHERIDAN:
That's right. We must have made a mistake, Eric. The only thought that thing knows is to kill! We have to destroy it.
ELIZABETH:
It's getting closer to the door!
SHERIDAN:
That door won't hold. Let's get out of here!
SOUND:
THEIR STEPS, IN BG ... LOUD CRASH! OF AUTOMATON HITTING THE LAB DOOR
SHERIDAN:
It has to be destroyed.
ELIZABETH:
But how? It weighs over half a ton.
ZIEGLER:
I think I have it. Stop here by this window.
SOUND:
THEIR STEPS STOP ... LOUD CRASH! OF AUTOMATON HITTING THE LAB DOOR
SHERIDAN:
Oh, another crash against that door and it'll be out of the lab.
ELIZABETH:
What are you going to do?
ZIEGLER:
Its reactions are slower than ours. We'll wait here for it. It'll come walking towards us. At the last minute, we'll run to the side. I don't think it'll be able to stop itself in time. It should crash through the window and to the ground below. The two-story drop should destroy it.
SOUND:
FOUR LOUD CRASHES! OF AUTOMATON HITTING THE LAB DOOR, WHICH FINALLY SPLINTERS AND FALLS
ELIZABETH:
The door is down!
SHERIDAN:
I hope your plan works.
ELIZABETH:
And if it doesn't?
ZIEGLER:
Then we'll have to think of something else.
SHERIDAN:
Here it comes.
SOUND:
CRUNCH! CRUNCH! OF AUTOMATON'S STEPS GROWING CLOSER ... HUM GROWS LOUDER, JOINED BY SLOW STEADY BEEPING ... THEN IN BG--
ELIZABETH:
It's looking up and down the hallway for us.
ZIEGLER:
Over here! Over here!
SHERIDAN:
(BEAT) It sees you.
ZIEGLER:
Here it comes.
AUTOMATON:
(APPROACHES) To kill. To kill.
ELIZABETH:
It's getting closer.
SHERIDAN:
When do we move away?
ZIEGLER:
Not yet.
AUTOMATON:
(CLOSER) Master of men! Kill - all - men!
ELIZABETH:
Only a few feet from us!
SHERIDAN:
How soon?
ZIEGLER:
In a moment.
AUTOMATON:
(VERY CLOSE) To killllll!
ZIEGLER:
Now!
SHERIDAN:
(CRIES OUT, WITH EFFORT)
SOUND:
CRASH! AND TINKLE! OF AUTOMATON SMASHING THROUGH THE GLASS WINDOW
MUSIC:
BRIDGE
SOUND:
NOCTURNAL BACKGROUND (CRICKETS CHIRPING, ET CETERA)
ELIZABETH:
Are--? Are you sure it's destroyed?
ZIEGLER:
Yes. The fall completely destroyed the automatic control. You're looking at nothing but a pile of metal.
SHERIDAN:
What do you intend doing?
ZIEGLER:
Starting all over again. Somewhere along the line, we made a mistake. We have to find that mistake and correct it. We don't want a master of men, but a servant of men. Someday, I don't know when, but someday, we'll be successful. And then one of mankind's most useful servants will be - the automaton.
MUSIC:
GONG! FOR A CURTAIN ... BEAT ... THEN ECHOING DRUMBEATS ... THEN IN BG
ANNOUNCER:
So runs tonight's tale of the unusual, the terrifying, the unknown! Join us again when next we journey down the corridors of THE HALL OF FANTASY to hear another strange tale of the supernatural.
MUSIC:
GONG!
ANNOUNCER:
All characters and events portrayed in these programs are fictional and any similarity to actual events or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
MUSIC:
ECHOING DRUMBEATS AND FOOTSTEPS ... THEN FADES OUT