WEBVTT

00:00.000 --> 00:11.680
Auto Light and its 98,000 dealers bring you Mr. Jack Benny in tonight's presentation of

00:11.680 --> 00:14.680
Suspense.

00:14.680 --> 00:24.960
Tonight, Auto Light, following a popular trend, anticipates the strange disappearance of experimental

00:24.960 --> 00:33.240
rocket ship Y-272B, the time, the year 2053, the place, the planet Mars, the star, Mr.

00:33.240 --> 00:36.240
Jack Benny.

00:36.240 --> 00:43.640
Say, Hap, that was quite a speech you made last night.

00:43.640 --> 00:46.680
You were as dynamic as an Auto Light staple battery.

00:46.680 --> 00:48.760
Oh, that's flattery, Harlow.

00:48.760 --> 00:50.720
And what a battery it is, Hap.

00:50.720 --> 00:55.060
The Auto Light staple is the power-packed pepster that needs water only three times

00:55.060 --> 00:56.800
a year in normal car use.

00:56.800 --> 00:59.400
I really don't deserve such praise, Harlow.

00:59.400 --> 01:00.400
Why not?

01:00.400 --> 01:05.120
That's the battery with the fiberglass retaining mats protecting every positive plate to reduce

01:05.120 --> 01:10.700
shedding and flaking and give the Auto Light staple longer life, as proved by tests conducted

01:10.700 --> 01:13.160
according to accepted life cycle standards.

01:13.160 --> 01:15.260
That was really good, Hap Harlow.

01:15.260 --> 01:20.280
No one could do any better than to visit his nearest Auto Light battery dealer, whose services

01:20.280 --> 01:21.880
all makes of batteries.

01:21.880 --> 01:24.880
To quickly locate him, just call Western Union by number.

01:24.880 --> 01:26.480
And ask for operator 25.

01:26.480 --> 01:30.560
I'll tell you the name of your nearest Auto Light battery dealer, where you can get an

01:30.560 --> 01:31.560
Auto Light staple.

01:31.560 --> 01:36.640
The battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use.

01:36.640 --> 01:43.960
And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light.

01:43.960 --> 01:50.760
And now, Auto Light presents Transcribed Plan X, starring Mr. Jack Benny, hoping once again

01:50.760 --> 02:06.160
to keep you in suspense.

02:06.160 --> 02:07.160
The card.

02:07.160 --> 02:09.120
Do you have the card yet?

02:09.120 --> 02:11.160
One more run through the machine.

02:11.160 --> 02:15.280
Toreg, when do you think the Earth rocket is arriving?

02:15.280 --> 02:16.520
Tomorrow.

02:16.520 --> 02:28.200
But if the Grand Council wanted the card before now, they should have asked me before now.

02:28.200 --> 02:29.200
Is that it?

02:29.200 --> 02:31.200
Let me see it.

02:31.200 --> 02:32.200
Here.

02:32.200 --> 02:41.760
23756, Zeno, assembly line worker, atomic escalator factory.

02:41.760 --> 02:44.760
Toreg, this is the man for the job?

02:44.760 --> 02:47.080
He has the specifications called for.

02:47.080 --> 02:49.280
An assembly line worker.

02:49.280 --> 02:52.480
Why, it's incredible.

02:52.480 --> 02:53.480
Incredible.

02:53.480 --> 03:02.760
Yes?

03:02.760 --> 03:12.280
Yes, right away.

03:12.280 --> 03:13.760
You may go in now, Zeno.

03:13.760 --> 03:24.360
The Grand Council is ready for you.

03:24.360 --> 03:31.920
13756, called Zeno.

03:31.920 --> 03:32.920
Come forward.

03:32.920 --> 03:35.920
Yes, sir.

03:35.920 --> 03:41.040
Zeno, the Grand Council of Mars has a mission for you to perform.

03:41.040 --> 03:42.040
Me?

03:42.040 --> 03:43.040
A mission?

03:43.040 --> 03:47.360
A mission selected because of the qualities shown on your work and identity card, form

03:47.360 --> 03:56.760
42-A. Set habit patterns, attention to detail, no strong emotional or biological drives, and

03:56.760 --> 03:58.880
complete suppression of imagination.

03:58.880 --> 04:01.480
Well, I always pride myself that I...

04:01.480 --> 04:03.480
Do not speak unless questioned, Zeno.

04:03.480 --> 04:06.120
The Grand Council has other important matters of state.

04:06.120 --> 04:07.680
Of course, of course.

04:07.680 --> 04:12.120
You have heard the telephone broadcast that an armed rocket from the planet Earth is approaching

04:12.120 --> 04:13.120
Mars.

04:13.120 --> 04:14.120
Hmm?

04:14.120 --> 04:16.120
Oh, I did hear something about it, yes.

04:16.120 --> 04:19.640
Their course has been plotted as bringing them to a landing on the plane outside the

04:19.640 --> 04:22.760
city at 1014 tomorrow morning.

04:22.760 --> 04:23.760
1014.

04:23.760 --> 04:25.840
You know, I wouldn't mind seeing that.

04:25.840 --> 04:28.480
You will see it, citizen Zeno.

04:28.480 --> 04:29.480
Me?

04:29.480 --> 04:30.480
You.

04:30.480 --> 04:35.880
Well, I'd certainly like to, but I'm due in the atomic escalator factory at eight.

04:35.880 --> 04:38.480
I'm on stair treads, you know, and...

04:38.480 --> 04:41.000
We've arranged a leave from your job.

04:41.000 --> 04:42.320
A leave?

04:42.320 --> 04:46.520
Well I'm not arguing with the Grand Council, but I've got a pretty important job there

04:46.520 --> 04:47.520
and...

04:47.520 --> 04:51.720
One three seven five six, you've been selected to meet and deal with the Earth rocket.

04:51.720 --> 04:52.800
Me?

04:52.800 --> 04:57.080
You will put Plan X into operation.

04:57.080 --> 04:58.080
Plan X?

04:58.080 --> 05:03.040
Citizen Zeno, every Martian for the last 50 years has been thoroughly grounded in Plan

05:03.040 --> 05:06.280
X if and when a rocket should come from the Earth.

05:06.280 --> 05:07.280
Oh.

05:07.280 --> 05:08.520
Oh, Plan X.

05:08.520 --> 05:13.760
Oh, you see, I thought you said Plan X, of course.

05:13.760 --> 05:15.920
Then you understand and accept the responsibility.

05:15.920 --> 05:18.560
Oh, anything to help out.

05:18.560 --> 05:21.320
Those assisting you on the mission will be in contact with you.

05:21.320 --> 05:22.320
Good, good.

05:22.320 --> 05:26.720
Have the other council members any questions?

05:26.720 --> 05:29.840
One three seven five six, Colt Zeno.

05:29.840 --> 05:34.000
You are now officially operating under the provisions of Plan X.

05:34.000 --> 05:43.360
Well, thank you.

05:43.360 --> 05:48.160
I took the aerial transmission belt directly home, let them get along without me at the

05:48.160 --> 05:50.000
escalator factory if they could.

05:50.000 --> 05:52.960
Besides, it was almost quitting time.

05:52.960 --> 05:54.720
I went to bed early that night.

05:54.720 --> 05:57.440
Tomorrow was going to be a big day.

05:57.440 --> 06:03.840
Plan X. Out of the whole population of Mars, I was picked to carry out Plan X.

06:03.840 --> 06:08.520
Oh, I'll admit I had my criticisms of the Grand Council in the past, but this restored

06:08.520 --> 06:10.360
my confidence in them.

06:10.360 --> 06:11.800
Yes, sir.

06:11.800 --> 06:20.520
They couldn't have picked a better Martian.

06:20.520 --> 06:23.200
I think I'll have a second cup of Ostrich, Mother.

06:23.200 --> 06:25.320
Zeno, you haven't time.

06:25.320 --> 06:27.520
You'll be late for the factory as it is.

06:27.520 --> 06:29.400
As I told you, Mother, I'm on leave.

06:29.400 --> 06:30.400
Orders of the Grand Council.

06:30.400 --> 06:33.600
Oh, yes, of course, Plan X.

06:33.600 --> 06:36.840
But will the Grand Council care if you don't get your job back?

06:36.840 --> 06:38.240
There won't be any trouble.

06:38.240 --> 06:42.120
They couldn't replace me in stared treads and they know it.

06:42.120 --> 06:44.440
Pass the Gorat, will you, Mother?

06:44.440 --> 06:45.440
Here.

06:45.440 --> 06:46.440
But it's fattening, Zeno.

06:46.440 --> 06:48.840
Well, I got a hard task coming up, Mother.

06:48.840 --> 06:54.180
I owe it to myself.

06:54.180 --> 06:55.720
And you will be careful, Zeno.

06:55.720 --> 06:59.040
Oh, Mother, if I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times.

06:59.040 --> 07:02.740
It's just an invasion rocket from that stupid planet Earth.

07:02.740 --> 07:04.200
So will you stop worrying?

07:04.200 --> 07:07.400
Oh, you're just like your father was, Zeno.

07:07.400 --> 07:09.840
Too brave for your own good.

07:09.840 --> 07:10.840
I am?

07:10.840 --> 07:19.720
Well, it's nothing, really.

07:19.720 --> 07:24.200
I took my time going over to the field where the Earth rocket was to land.

07:24.200 --> 07:27.280
I got there ten, with not another soul around.

07:27.280 --> 07:31.600
Another few minutes and I had my pocket radar screen working.

07:31.600 --> 07:38.520
Yep, the rocket was coming in right on time.

07:38.520 --> 07:43.400
Then I could hear it out in space and soon after that I could see it, bearing our first

07:43.400 --> 07:44.880
visitors from Earth.

07:44.880 --> 07:48.960
Gee, I was thinking they must be a brave crew.

07:48.960 --> 07:55.480
I almost felt sorry for them.

07:55.480 --> 08:10.520
It wasn't a bad landing.

08:10.520 --> 08:12.540
Not the greatest, but not bad.

08:12.540 --> 08:16.320
After another ten minutes, a port in the side of the rocket started to swing open and I

08:16.320 --> 08:17.320
walked over.

08:17.320 --> 08:21.680
If I do say it myself, I made quite an impression.

08:21.680 --> 08:24.600
Commander, Commander, look.

08:24.600 --> 08:27.440
Great Scott, what is it?

08:27.440 --> 08:30.560
Commander, I think we've met our first Martian.

08:30.560 --> 08:32.160
All right, keep back everybody.

08:32.160 --> 08:34.520
Dr. Fielding and I will deal with it.

08:34.520 --> 08:37.880
Him, whatever it is, hand me the Martian kit, Parker.

08:37.880 --> 08:38.880
All ready, sir.

08:38.880 --> 08:39.880
Come on, Fielding.

08:39.880 --> 08:40.880
Be ready for anything.

08:40.880 --> 08:41.880
Right, Commander.

08:41.880 --> 08:42.880
Incredible, absolutely incredible.

08:42.880 --> 08:43.880
I'll try to talk to him.

08:43.880 --> 08:44.880
We Earth people, we Martians, we are the Martians.

08:44.880 --> 08:45.880
We are the Martians.

08:45.880 --> 08:46.880
We are the Martians.

08:46.880 --> 08:47.880
We are the Martians.

08:47.880 --> 08:48.880
We are the Martians.

08:48.880 --> 08:49.880
We are the Martians.

08:49.880 --> 08:50.880
We are the Martians.

08:50.880 --> 08:51.880
We are the Martians.

08:51.880 --> 08:52.880
We are the Martians.

08:52.880 --> 08:53.880
We are the Martians.

08:53.880 --> 08:56.880
We are friends.

08:56.880 --> 09:02.160
Friends, we come from out there.

09:02.160 --> 09:09.440
Blast that Fielding, I feel like a fool.

09:09.440 --> 09:12.080
Let me try, Commander.

09:12.080 --> 09:15.720
We bring you presents here.

09:15.720 --> 09:19.800
We bring you beads, cloths of many colors.

09:19.800 --> 09:21.840
Take them.

09:21.840 --> 09:24.280
You wouldn't have something a little more conservative?

09:24.280 --> 09:27.360
Fielding, he speaks Esperanto.

09:27.360 --> 09:29.360
Incredible, incredible.

09:29.360 --> 09:33.080
Gentlemen, welcome to Mars.

09:33.080 --> 09:35.200
It's almost as if he was expecting us.

09:35.200 --> 09:37.400
Oh yes, for some days now.

09:37.400 --> 09:39.260
Ever since you left Earth, as a matter of fact.

09:39.260 --> 09:40.720
You hear that, Fielding?

09:40.720 --> 09:45.160
Commander, we may very well be in the presence of a superior race.

09:45.160 --> 09:46.840
Well, thank you.

09:46.840 --> 09:49.840
You say you expected us?

09:49.840 --> 09:51.120
Everyone expected us?

09:51.120 --> 09:52.400
Oh certainly.

09:52.400 --> 09:53.960
But you're here alone.

09:53.960 --> 10:01.040
Yes, well unfortunately, all other adult Martians are, shall we say, unavailable.

10:01.040 --> 10:02.680
For how long?

10:02.680 --> 10:05.400
Not wishing to pry, but how long are you staying?

10:05.400 --> 10:09.320
Well, they've taken to the hills, have they?

10:09.320 --> 10:10.600
No need to be afraid of us.

10:10.600 --> 10:11.880
No need at all.

10:11.880 --> 10:14.960
There's no one in your city over there?

10:14.960 --> 10:16.440
Mainly unavailable.

10:16.440 --> 10:18.600
But I'll be glad to show you around.

10:18.600 --> 10:21.360
Even hospitality, you know.

10:21.360 --> 10:22.760
Amazing.

10:22.760 --> 10:24.200
Can we go right away, Commander?

10:24.200 --> 10:25.200
I'll get Connie.

10:25.200 --> 10:28.640
Well, you can call her Fielding, but we don't want to blunder into a trap.

10:28.640 --> 10:29.640
All right, men.

10:29.640 --> 10:30.640
All in.

10:30.640 --> 10:33.200
Parker, take three men and stay here for rocket guard.

10:33.200 --> 10:34.200
Yes, sir.

10:34.200 --> 10:35.200
Ready, Fielding?

10:35.200 --> 10:36.200
All set, Commander.

10:36.200 --> 10:39.080
Connie, I want you to meet our first Martian.

10:39.080 --> 10:41.320
Dr. Fielding, I don't believe it.

10:41.320 --> 10:45.120
Miss Morrison, this is 13756.

10:45.120 --> 10:46.120
Call Zeno.

10:46.120 --> 10:48.120
Miss Morrison, this is Zeno.

10:48.120 --> 10:50.520
How do you do?

10:50.520 --> 10:53.120
Well, how do you do?

10:53.120 --> 10:54.120
Incredible.

10:54.120 --> 10:59.280
But he's almost handsome in a strange way.

10:59.280 --> 11:00.280
And he speaks our language.

11:00.280 --> 11:02.280
Maybe a trick of some kind.

11:02.280 --> 11:06.280
Expedition force, on to... to...

11:06.280 --> 11:07.960
It's a little difficult to pronounce.

11:07.960 --> 11:17.560
On to the city.

11:17.560 --> 11:21.760
We march into the city, which of course appeared quite deserted.

11:21.760 --> 11:23.240
Plan X.

11:23.240 --> 11:29.800
I show them a few of the sites, the canals, the Og Factory, and the hall of the Grand Council.

11:29.800 --> 11:35.800
I was walking alongside of Connie, Miss Morrison, who was most unlike the women of Mars.

11:35.800 --> 11:41.400
I caught myself showing off, riding the aerial transmission belt with one hand.

11:41.400 --> 11:44.960
Finally, I took them all to the art museum.

11:44.960 --> 11:52.960
Oh, Commander, this place, this civilization, it's fantastic, fantastic.

11:52.960 --> 11:56.440
Look at this sculpture, Dr. Fielding, the line, the detail.

11:56.440 --> 11:58.920
I've never seen anything so beautiful.

11:58.920 --> 12:00.240
It's nothing really.

12:00.240 --> 12:02.000
Zeno, you don't mean that you...

12:02.000 --> 12:03.000
Well, no, no, no.

12:03.000 --> 12:06.080
You see, I work at an atomic escalator factory.

12:06.080 --> 12:07.080
I'm in stair creds.

12:07.080 --> 12:08.080
Everybody, over here.

12:08.080 --> 12:09.080
Look at this.

12:09.080 --> 12:10.080
Oh, what is it?

12:10.080 --> 12:11.080
What?

12:11.080 --> 12:12.080
Wait, isn't that...

12:12.080 --> 12:13.080
What is it?

12:13.080 --> 12:14.080
Zeno.

12:14.080 --> 12:16.360
Yes, is this what I think it is?

12:16.360 --> 12:17.360
Hmm?

12:17.360 --> 12:19.160
I'll have to read the nameplate.

12:19.160 --> 12:26.800
Oh, yes, yes, a flying saucer from 1952, your calendar, 100 years old.

12:26.800 --> 12:29.960
1952, the year of the flying saucers.

12:29.960 --> 12:31.760
Then they did come from Mars.

12:31.760 --> 12:32.760
Oh, yes.

12:32.760 --> 12:35.040
But none of them ever landed on Earth.

12:35.040 --> 12:36.040
Why?

12:36.040 --> 12:38.520
It just didn't seem worthwhile.

12:38.520 --> 12:40.000
Nothing personal, of course.

12:40.000 --> 12:42.400
I just can't get over this planet.

12:42.400 --> 12:45.360
It's so different from anything we imagined.

12:45.360 --> 12:48.560
Now here's something you might be interested in.

12:48.560 --> 12:51.560
Right over here.

12:51.560 --> 12:54.160
What looks like a weapon of some kind.

12:54.160 --> 12:55.160
Oh, yes.

12:55.160 --> 12:57.560
Yeah, you see, it's a paralyzer ray.

12:57.560 --> 12:59.200
It's 300 years old.

12:59.200 --> 13:00.760
But why do you have it in a museum?

13:00.760 --> 13:04.400
You don't mean that weapons like this are 300 years obsolete.

13:04.400 --> 13:06.920
Well, you might say that, yes.

13:06.920 --> 13:10.920
You see, no adult Martian has carried a weapon for hundreds of years.

13:10.920 --> 13:11.920
Why not?

13:11.920 --> 13:12.920
Why should we?

13:12.920 --> 13:13.920
But to defend yourself.

13:13.920 --> 13:18.840
Well, we just have no aggressive impulses, that's all.

13:18.840 --> 13:22.200
If someone struck you, wouldn't you strike back?

13:22.200 --> 13:23.200
I couldn't.

13:23.200 --> 13:24.960
But it doesn't matter.

13:24.960 --> 13:26.300
No one could strike me.

13:26.300 --> 13:28.200
No Martian, that is.

13:28.200 --> 13:29.200
Yes.

13:29.200 --> 13:30.680
We've never had any trouble.

13:30.680 --> 13:33.920
Zeno, you're in the diplomatic service?

13:33.920 --> 13:35.600
The escalator game.

13:35.600 --> 13:37.520
Yet you were delegated to meet us.

13:37.520 --> 13:39.360
Yes, by the Grand Council.

13:39.360 --> 13:43.360
You see, we stopped having diplomats handle our important missions years ago.

13:43.360 --> 13:46.040
Again, nothing personal, of course.

13:46.040 --> 13:47.560
I see.

13:47.560 --> 13:50.240
But you are empowered to deal with us.

13:50.240 --> 13:51.240
Deal with you?

13:51.240 --> 13:52.640
I certainly am.

13:52.640 --> 13:53.640
Good.

13:53.640 --> 13:58.640
Now, it seems logical to me that we should work out a mutual defense pact.

13:58.640 --> 13:59.640
Not right now, of course.

13:59.640 --> 14:00.640
Mr. Zeno!

14:00.640 --> 14:01.640
Mr. Zeno!

14:01.640 --> 14:02.640
Who's that?

14:02.640 --> 14:03.640
It looks like children.

14:03.640 --> 14:05.700
We have to see him, Mr. Zeno!

14:05.700 --> 14:06.700
Just some little friends of mine.

14:06.700 --> 14:08.160
Oh, they're darling.

14:08.160 --> 14:09.640
What's the problem, army?

14:09.640 --> 14:12.320
We're building something, and we're all out of uranium.

14:12.320 --> 14:14.120
We need some right away, and...

14:14.120 --> 14:16.120
Zeno, does he mean real uranium?

14:16.120 --> 14:17.840
Oh, of course, Dr. Fielding.

14:17.840 --> 14:19.800
It won't hurt them a bit.

14:19.800 --> 14:21.800
We have to have it right away, Mr. Zeno.

14:21.800 --> 14:23.800
We just have to have it.

14:23.800 --> 14:24.800
This city was deserted.

14:24.800 --> 14:26.400
Where did these children come from?

14:26.400 --> 14:29.800
Oh, you know how it is with kids when they get to playing.

14:29.800 --> 14:31.800
You'll get the uranium for us, won't you, Mr. Zeno?

14:31.800 --> 14:32.800
Will you?

14:32.800 --> 14:33.800
Fascinating.

14:33.800 --> 14:35.800
What are they playing, Zeno?

14:35.800 --> 14:37.800
Yes, what's the game?

14:37.800 --> 14:41.040
I don't think you've heard of it, Commander.

14:41.040 --> 14:43.320
It's called Plan X.

14:43.320 --> 15:01.240
Auto Light is bringing you Mr. Jack Benny in Plan X, tonight's presentation in Radio's

15:01.240 --> 15:14.960
outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense.

15:14.960 --> 15:17.600
Say Harlow, do you like to make speeches?

15:17.600 --> 15:21.120
Sure, Hap, especially about the Auto Light Stayful Battery.

15:21.120 --> 15:26.400
Friends, Romans, motorists, lend me your ears while I praise the greatest of the great,

15:26.400 --> 15:28.920
the incomparable Auto Light Stayful.

15:28.920 --> 15:32.920
The battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use.

15:32.920 --> 15:37.040
The battery that gives longer life is proved by tests conducted according to accepted life

15:37.040 --> 15:38.440
cycle standards.

15:38.440 --> 15:43.680
The famous Auto Light Stayful has over three times the liquid reserve of ordinary batteries.

15:43.680 --> 15:48.580
And because every positive plate is protected by fiberglass retaining mats to reduce shedding

15:48.580 --> 15:54.200
and flaking, the Auto Light Stayful just naturally gives longer life than ordinary batteries.

15:54.200 --> 15:57.080
And where can one get this glorious battery?

15:57.080 --> 16:01.060
Find your nearest Auto Light Battery dealer who services all makes of batteries.

16:01.060 --> 16:04.920
To quickly locate him, just phone Western Union and ask for Operator 25.

16:04.920 --> 16:09.440
And I'll tell you where you can get an Auto Light Stayful, the battery that needs water

16:09.440 --> 16:12.640
only three times a year in normal car use.

16:12.640 --> 16:19.440
And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with Auto Light.

16:19.440 --> 16:25.200
And now, Auto Light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage Mr. Jack Benny in Elliot Lewis's

16:25.200 --> 16:43.440
production of Plan X, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.

16:43.440 --> 16:48.400
For the next week, I showed the Earth expedition around the city, signed a few treaties, and

16:48.400 --> 16:51.240
had several long conversations with Miss Morrison.

16:51.240 --> 16:55.960
Well, not too long, but I felt we were building a solid friendship.

16:55.960 --> 16:59.120
It was too bad it was coming to an end.

16:59.120 --> 17:01.600
You're not going out again this evening, Zeno.

17:01.600 --> 17:03.960
Mother, so I've been out two evenings in a row.

17:03.960 --> 17:05.920
It doesn't have to be fatal, you know.

17:05.920 --> 17:08.880
This is the time of year you always get that chest cold.

17:08.880 --> 17:11.080
No chest cold, chest cold.

17:11.080 --> 17:13.880
Anyway, Mother, I have to go over to the rocket.

17:13.880 --> 17:16.280
Don't they plan to go back to Earth tomorrow?

17:16.280 --> 17:18.520
They plan to, yes.

17:18.520 --> 17:21.960
Miss Morrison promised to take a little farewell walk with me this evening.

17:21.960 --> 17:25.920
Don't let her keep you out in the moonlight too long, Zeno.

17:25.920 --> 17:29.080
Mother, why, that's the most ridiculous thing I've...

17:29.080 --> 17:31.680
You just don't know how attractive you are.

17:31.680 --> 17:34.520
Now, Mother, Miss Morrison and I are merely friends.

17:34.520 --> 17:36.920
And to think of anything beyond that is just...

17:36.920 --> 17:37.920
Mr. Zeno!

17:37.920 --> 17:38.920
Mr. Zeno!

17:38.920 --> 17:40.920
We're almost finished the game, Mr. Zeno.

17:40.920 --> 17:41.920
Good, good.

17:41.920 --> 17:42.920
All finished, Army?

17:42.920 --> 17:43.920
Just about.

17:43.920 --> 17:46.920
It's tomorrow morning at 8.45, isn't it?

17:46.920 --> 17:47.920
8.45.

17:47.920 --> 17:48.920
Anything else you need, Army?

17:48.920 --> 17:49.920
I mean, any more uranium?

17:49.920 --> 17:52.920
No, I just wanted to make sure it was 8.45.

17:52.920 --> 17:55.920
Well, see you in the morning, Mr. Zeno.

17:55.920 --> 17:57.680
Goodbye, Mr. Zeno.

17:57.680 --> 17:59.720
See you in the morning, Army.

17:59.720 --> 18:01.920
Such a cute little fellow, Zeno.

18:01.920 --> 18:02.920
And smart.

18:02.920 --> 18:03.920
Is he?

18:03.920 --> 18:13.880
Mother, you have no idea.

18:13.880 --> 18:17.600
The Earth Expedition was camped beside their rocket getting ready for takeoff the next

18:17.600 --> 18:18.600
day.

18:18.600 --> 18:22.520
Connie, Miss Morrison, waved when she saw me coming.

18:22.520 --> 18:26.840
I waved back and then she smiled at me and I smiled back.

18:26.840 --> 18:28.640
It was a beautiful evening.

18:28.640 --> 18:34.080
We walked out over the plane, Connie and I, and then we sat down quite close.

18:34.080 --> 18:37.800
Connie lit a cigarette and I opened up a package of Gercog.

18:37.800 --> 18:38.800
Zeno?

18:38.800 --> 18:39.800
Yes, Connie.

18:39.800 --> 18:40.800
Miss Morrison.

18:40.800 --> 18:41.800
Connie.

18:41.800 --> 18:45.400
How is it you're not married, Zeno?

18:45.400 --> 18:46.800
Don't Martians believe in it?

18:46.800 --> 18:48.120
Oh, definitely.

18:48.120 --> 18:50.200
But there's mother and...

18:50.200 --> 18:51.760
And what?

18:51.760 --> 18:55.920
Connie, you don't find me a little bit strange?

18:55.920 --> 18:58.320
You mean because you're a Martian?

18:58.320 --> 18:59.320
Not exactly.

18:59.320 --> 19:02.920
You see, even to Martian girls, I'm a little bit strange.

19:02.920 --> 19:05.320
I find you very attractive, Zeno.

19:05.320 --> 19:06.320
Really?

19:06.320 --> 19:08.440
You're from a superior race?

19:08.440 --> 19:09.440
Well...

19:09.440 --> 19:13.160
The Commander may not see it, but Dr. Fielding does and I do.

19:13.160 --> 19:17.080
Your civilization, your culture, and you.

19:17.080 --> 19:18.080
Actually, I'm...

19:18.080 --> 19:20.040
What are the other Martians like?

19:20.040 --> 19:24.400
You know, I seem to feel there are people all around watching, waiting, and yet we've

19:24.400 --> 19:25.920
seen only you.

19:25.920 --> 19:26.920
And the children, of course.

19:26.920 --> 19:27.920
Yes, and the children.

19:27.920 --> 19:29.920
They've been playing around the rocket all day.

19:29.920 --> 19:31.920
Yes, yes.

19:31.920 --> 19:37.040
Zeno, what'll happen to this planet, this beautiful planet, when the next Earth rocket

19:37.040 --> 19:39.320
comes and the next one?

19:39.320 --> 19:40.560
Connie.

19:40.560 --> 19:44.000
I'd almost like to stay here, or I wish we'd never come.

19:44.000 --> 19:45.000
None of us.

19:45.000 --> 19:47.000
Connie, there's something I...

19:47.000 --> 19:48.000
I...

19:48.000 --> 19:49.000
What, Zeno?

19:49.000 --> 19:50.000
What is it?

19:50.000 --> 19:54.200
It's just that... it's getting cold.

19:54.200 --> 20:01.800
Maybe we'd better go back.

20:01.800 --> 20:05.160
I walked with Connie back to the rocket and then I went home.

20:05.160 --> 20:08.200
There was a message on the autofonapad.

20:08.200 --> 20:13.920
The Grand Council wanted to see me at once.

20:13.920 --> 20:15.920
You sent for me, gentlemen?

20:15.920 --> 20:18.040
13756, called Zeno.

20:18.040 --> 20:20.360
You are nearing the completion of Plan X.

20:20.360 --> 20:22.440
I hope my work has been satisfactory.

20:22.440 --> 20:25.600
You were selected for certain qualifications, Zeno.

20:25.600 --> 20:29.600
Set habit patterns, attention to detail, no strong emotional drives.

20:29.600 --> 20:30.840
I remember, yes.

20:30.840 --> 20:34.440
You have assumed a responsibility based on those qualifications.

20:34.440 --> 20:37.120
I suppose you might put it that way.

20:37.120 --> 20:41.280
Are you still prepared to discharge that responsibility?

20:41.280 --> 20:43.080
Well, I...

20:43.080 --> 20:47.600
I think you might as well know that it's been my criticism in the past, as well as that

20:47.600 --> 20:52.240
of a lot of other taxpayers, that the Grand Council interferes entirely too much in the

20:52.240 --> 20:55.240
private lives of... well...

20:55.240 --> 20:56.240
Well, what I mean to say...

20:56.240 --> 20:59.680
Are you prepared to discharge your responsibility?

20:59.680 --> 21:04.360
But about Connie, I mean Miss Morrison, isn't there some way...

21:04.360 --> 21:07.280
You know that there is not.

21:07.280 --> 21:09.280
Well, I...

21:09.280 --> 21:11.520
I suppose not, no.

21:11.520 --> 21:13.960
Plan X will then be completed.

21:13.960 --> 21:27.840
I assure the Grand Council, at 845 tomorrow morning, Plan X will be completed.

21:27.840 --> 21:29.800
I didn't sleep well that night.

21:29.800 --> 21:33.520
Mother was worried when I hadn't any appetite in the morning.

21:33.520 --> 21:37.040
She thought it was the start of one of my chest colds.

21:37.040 --> 21:40.280
Purposely I didn't go out to the rocket until almost 840.

21:40.280 --> 21:44.520
They were blasting the motors, getting ready to take off.

21:44.520 --> 21:50.600
Zeno, I thought you weren't coming.

21:50.600 --> 21:52.600
I overslept, Connie.

21:52.600 --> 21:54.600
That is, I didn't really oversleep, but...

21:54.600 --> 21:56.600
The children have been here for an hour.

21:56.600 --> 21:58.920
We're just about finished playing, Mr. Zeno.

21:58.920 --> 21:59.920
Oh, good army.

21:59.920 --> 22:02.280
Did you win the game, Plan X?

22:02.280 --> 22:03.640
I think so.

22:03.640 --> 22:05.640
We'll know in a minute, Mr. Zeno.

22:05.640 --> 22:06.640
They're so intense.

22:06.640 --> 22:09.440
Are the children on Mars always that way, Zeno?

22:09.440 --> 22:10.440
Well, not always, no.

22:10.440 --> 22:11.440
Oh, come to see us off, did you, Zeno?

22:11.440 --> 22:12.440
Good boy, we counted on you.

22:12.440 --> 22:13.440
Well, thank you.

22:13.440 --> 22:14.440
Come over here, Fielding.

22:14.440 --> 22:15.440
Yes, Commander.

22:15.440 --> 22:22.560
Connie, Fielding, Zeno here has been so helpful to us that I've come to a decision.

22:22.560 --> 22:26.160
That's very nice of you, but I'm pretty well stocked up on beads right now, and I...

22:26.160 --> 22:28.160
Ah, a different kind of a present.

22:28.160 --> 22:32.240
Zeno, I have decided to invite you to come with us to Earth.

22:32.240 --> 22:33.240
How about it, Zeno?

22:33.240 --> 22:36.240
We're taking off in 16 minutes at 9 o'clock.

22:36.240 --> 22:37.240
How about it?

22:37.240 --> 22:43.240
Well, it's not that I don't appreciate your thinking of me, but Mother would worry and...

22:43.240 --> 22:45.000
You see, we need you, Zeno.

22:45.000 --> 22:46.000
That's not true.

22:46.000 --> 22:47.000
Well, I'm afraid it is.

22:47.000 --> 22:51.640
You see, I think Zeno is a much more important man than a worker in an elevator factory.

22:51.640 --> 22:52.640
Escalator.

22:52.640 --> 22:53.640
I'm in stair trains.

22:53.640 --> 22:57.480
And if we have Zeno along the next time we come back to Mars, we'd be much less likely

22:57.480 --> 22:59.840
to run into, well, an ambush.

22:59.840 --> 23:01.320
I'm afraid he's right, Connie.

23:01.320 --> 23:02.320
He's not right.

23:02.320 --> 23:03.320
How about it, Zeno?

23:03.320 --> 23:04.320
Thanks, but no.

23:04.320 --> 23:10.320
Commander, those kids, they've got some sort of a ray gun set up.

23:10.320 --> 23:11.320
Fielding.

23:11.320 --> 23:12.320
Is it real fielding?

23:12.320 --> 23:14.320
Why, it looks like it, Commander.

23:14.320 --> 23:16.320
Get Zeno over in front of us, quick.

23:16.320 --> 23:18.320
Now they can't shoot without hitting him.

23:18.320 --> 23:19.320
Get your gun out, Parker.

23:19.320 --> 23:21.320
You mean the kids, Commander?

23:21.320 --> 23:22.320
If we have to, yes.

23:22.320 --> 23:25.320
Tell them not to fire on us, Zeno.

23:25.320 --> 23:26.320
I'm sorry, Connie.

23:26.320 --> 23:27.320
Really sorry.

23:27.320 --> 23:29.320
Oh, it's all right, Zeno.

23:29.320 --> 23:30.320
Do what you have to do.

23:30.320 --> 23:31.320
Shall we shoot, Mr. Zeno?

23:31.320 --> 23:33.320
Have your gun ready, Parker.

23:33.320 --> 23:35.320
It wouldn't do any good, Commander.

23:35.320 --> 23:37.320
All right, Army.

23:37.320 --> 23:39.320
Plan X.

23:53.320 --> 23:57.320
Did you, did you fire, Parker?

23:57.320 --> 23:59.320
Me, sir?

23:59.320 --> 24:01.320
Did you fire a gun?

24:01.320 --> 24:03.320
Why, I couldn't.

24:03.320 --> 24:05.320
I couldn't do a thing like that.

24:05.320 --> 24:08.320
No, no, of course you couldn't.

24:08.320 --> 24:11.320
I, I don't know what made me ask.

24:11.320 --> 24:14.320
The rocket, its motors have stopped.

24:14.320 --> 24:16.320
Its motors have stopped, Commander.

24:16.320 --> 24:20.320
Well, we aren't going anywhere, are we?

24:20.320 --> 24:23.320
Someone said something about going back to Earth.

24:23.320 --> 24:25.320
Back to Earth?

24:25.320 --> 24:26.320
Oh, no.

24:26.320 --> 24:28.320
Of course not, of course not.

24:28.320 --> 24:31.320
Everybody all right?

24:31.320 --> 24:33.320
What happened, Commander?

24:33.320 --> 24:34.320
What happened?

24:34.320 --> 24:36.320
Nothing, really.

24:36.320 --> 24:38.320
It's just that Army and his little friends

24:38.320 --> 24:40.320
built a maturity ray.

24:40.320 --> 24:43.320
It takes people who are, shall we say, less advanced

24:43.320 --> 24:47.320
and increases their IQ by several thousand years.

24:47.320 --> 24:48.320
That's amazing.

24:48.320 --> 24:49.320
Child's play.

24:49.320 --> 24:51.320
Zeno, do you mean to say...

24:51.320 --> 24:55.320
Commander, Dr. Fielding, Parker, Connie,

24:55.320 --> 24:59.320
permit me to congratulate you as fellow Martians.

24:59.320 --> 25:01.320
Utterly amazing.

25:01.320 --> 25:02.320
Connie.

25:02.320 --> 25:04.320
Look, here come the Martians.

25:04.320 --> 25:07.320
Our fellow Martians, thousands of them.

25:07.320 --> 25:09.320
They're coming to welcome us.

25:09.320 --> 25:10.320
Connie.

25:10.320 --> 25:12.320
Oh, look at them.

25:12.320 --> 25:16.320
Oh, they look so handsome, so intelligent, so...

25:16.320 --> 25:17.320
Connie.

25:17.320 --> 25:18.320
Yeah, excuse me, Zeno.

25:18.320 --> 25:19.320
I'll be back, Commander.

25:19.320 --> 25:20.320
I have to go to them.

25:20.320 --> 25:27.320
I'll be back.

25:27.320 --> 25:36.320
Well, she did like me for a while before Plan X.

25:36.320 --> 25:42.320
But she did like me even just for a while.

25:42.320 --> 26:04.320
That's something, isn't it?

26:04.320 --> 26:10.320
Suspense presented by Autolight, tonight's star, Mr. Jack Benny.

26:10.320 --> 26:14.320
This is Harlow Wilcox again, speaking for Autolight,

26:14.320 --> 26:19.320
world's largest independent manufacturer of automotive electrical equipment.

26:19.320 --> 26:23.320
Autolight is proud to serve the greatest names in the industry.

26:23.320 --> 26:27.320
That's why during the early months of 1953, as we did last year,

26:27.320 --> 26:32.320
the Autolight family will join in saluting the leading car manufacturers

26:32.320 --> 26:36.320
who install Autolight products as original equipment.

26:36.320 --> 26:40.320
Our Autolight family is a worldwide family and numbers among its members

26:40.320 --> 26:45.320
some 30,000 men and women in Autolight plants in the United States, Canada,

26:45.320 --> 26:49.320
and many foreign countries, and the 18,000 people who have invested

26:49.320 --> 26:53.320
a portion of their savings in Autolight, as well as thousands of Autolight

26:53.320 --> 26:57.320
distributors and dealers and the many leading manufacturers

26:57.320 --> 27:01.320
who use Autolight products as original equipment.

27:01.320 --> 27:05.320
Our Autolight family will salute the Dodge division of Chrysler Corporation

27:05.320 --> 27:09.320
on the next Autolight suspense program on television.

27:09.320 --> 27:12.320
If you live in a television area, check the day and time of suspense

27:12.320 --> 27:15.320
so that you'll be sure to see this program.

27:15.320 --> 27:24.320
Music

27:24.320 --> 27:29.320
Next week, the dramatic report of a man's desperate race for freedom.

27:29.320 --> 27:34.320
A true story with names and places changed in order to protect the lives of the principles.

27:34.320 --> 27:38.320
The story is called, The Man Who Cried Wolf.

27:38.320 --> 27:41.320
Our star, Mr. Jeff Chandler.

27:41.320 --> 27:46.320
That's next week on Suspense.

27:46.320 --> 27:56.320
Music

27:56.320 --> 27:59.320
Suspense is transcribed and directed by Elliot Lewis

27:59.320 --> 28:04.320
with music composed by Lucian Morrowick and conducted by Ludgluskin.

28:04.320 --> 28:07.320
Plan X was written for Suspense by Richard Powell.

28:07.320 --> 28:11.320
Featured in tonight's cast were Mary Jane Croft, Norma Varden, John McIntyre,

28:11.320 --> 28:19.320
Trude Amarsson, Howard McNeer, William Conrad, Jack Crouchon, Joseph Kearns, and Stuffy Singer.

28:19.320 --> 28:25.320
The Jack Benny Show may be heard every Sunday on the CBS Radio Network.

28:25.320 --> 28:31.320
And remember next week, Mr. Jeff Chandler in The Man Who Cried Wolf.

28:31.320 --> 28:37.320
Music

28:37.320 --> 28:41.320
The 1953 March of Dimes has nearly passed by.

28:41.320 --> 28:48.320
If you haven't given your dime or dollar to help in the crusade against polio, why not do it now?

28:48.320 --> 28:52.320
Send your contribution to your local March of Dimes headquarters.

28:52.320 --> 29:02.320
Music

29:02.320 --> 29:05.320
This is the CBS Radio Network.

29:05.320 --> 29:22.320
Music