X Minus One - Marionettes Inc

0:00Countdown for blast off. X minus 5, 4, 3, 2, X minus 1, fire. 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 Street and Smith, publishers of astounding science fiction presents... X minus 1, 1, 1, 1, 1.

1:10Tonight, a Ray Bradbury story, Marionette's Incorporated. By the year 1990, we should see many amazing technological advances. And yet in many ways life will be very much the same. A husband will stop off at a barn his way home and perhaps unburden himself a little to a friendly bartender. That's good. Almost feel as if I could go home and face netty now. Life trouble, Mr. Smith? Yeah, life trouble, Sam. If only she'd relax a little bit. Look, you see this bruise on my lip? She kisses me. For an hour every night, when I come home. Can you do anything for it? Well, I try, Sam. He can't forget them out. Well, I guess I'll go home and feed myself to the lioness. I tell you, Sam, when Nette gets finished demonstrating how much she's mismean. I feel like a man who's been stuffed into an electronic washing machine with a dial-set-ed rinse dry.

2:14How much do I owe you? Well, if it isn't Henry Smith. Brailing! Well, as I live in breeze, walled up bright, what are you doing here? Having the night out. See, does Gloria know about this? Things have changed, Henry. I thought she kept you chained to the bedpost most of the time. Not anymore, Henry. Not anymore. So you want divorced, I? Don't know. Gloria's home. What did you do? Put sleeping powder in a coffee? Oh, goodness no. That would be highly unethical. Oh, no, look, I can't believe you just walked out on her. Ten years of marriage, Henry, and I never had a night to myself. But it will be different from now on. By the way, what time is it? Uh, ten o'clock. I guess I'd better be going. Scared? Don't want to crowd me luck. Although really, there's nothing to worry about. Well, I'd sure like to know how you do it, walling. Would you really? Yes, I would. All right, Henry, since you've always been a friend of mine, I'll let you in on it. Come on, my car's outside. I'll drive your home and let you see how it's done.

3:17Well, no, that's nice of you, walling. Oh, no, not at all. We fell as half to stick together. I don't suppose you know how glory and I came to be married in the first place. No, I don't. Well, one evening, she threatened to tear off her clothing and call the police, unless I married her. No. Oh, yeah. Well, that's a bit extreme, isn't it? Glory is a nervous girl. Oh, I bet you've had a pretty wretched time of it, huh? Yeah. Yeah. Oh, I know. Oh, I know. I know. I know. I know. I bet you've had a pretty wretched time of it, huh? Yeah. Didn't take long for me to become the laughing stock of the neighborhood. Hempack brailing they used to call me, I know that. But things are changing now. See this? What's this? A single ticket to Rio on the morning rocket. I have hotel reservations there for a month, the whole month, Henry, to have a fling.

4:18Well, won't Gloria make trouble over there? Well, that's the amazing part of it, Henry. She won't even know that I'm gone. And I'll be back in a month and know on the wiser. You don't believe it, do you? Well, frankly, no. Just how are you going to swing it, Waller? That's the secret, Henry. I tell you, it is the most wonderful thing ever invented, worth every cent I paid for it. Well, what is it? I'm going to show you. I hear my house. You notice the lights are all out? Uh-huh. We'll wait here on the front porch. Say, Waller, you haven't gone off your rock, I have you. You see, oh, I meow twice. That's it. Meow? Meow?

5:19Now watch the window in my bedroom. That looks as if somebody's... Hey, there's a man up there. He's looking loud. God, he sees me. Now he'll be down directly. Oh, now look, isn't this a bit embarrassing for you, Waller? No, no, not at all. You'll find out. Here he comes. Hello, B2. Good evening, Mr. Braily. Either I'm going out of my mind, or there are two of you. You never told me you had a twin brother? I don't. Well, if this fellow weren't a pajamas, I couldn't tell you a part. Well, that's the secret, Henry. Uh, everything go all right, B2? Uh, just fine, Mr. Braily. I suppose my wife was in her usual good form this evening. Or as a matter of fact, we spent the evening playing gin. No screaming, shouting, accusations? Uh, no sir. It was a very quiet evening. Well, but this is even better than I thought.

6:20A Marianette's Inc. Mr. Satisfy, sir. Did he say Marianette's Inc. That's right, Henry. Then I'll look him over. Isn't he excellently fashioned? You wouldn't dream he was a robot. A Marianette. Oh, I don't believe it. Well, it's against the law, of course, to duplicate a human like this. But it's well worth the opportunity. I still don't believe it. But you can't tell him from a human. Well, only one way. Put your ear next to his chest. That's it. Now listen. It's machinery. What role may it be? How long has it been going on? Well, I've had him a month. I keep him in the cellar in my toolbox. And tonight I told Gloria that I'd like to be excused for five minutes to run down to the cigar store. She agreed. I went down the cellar, took out brailing too, and sent him back upstairs to sit with my wife till I got home. That's miraculous.

7:20Of course, Walter. Well, it doesn't seem quite ethical, somehow. Oh, nonsense. Highly ethical. I've been home all evening. I shall be home with her for the next month. In the meantime, another gentleman named Walter Brailing will be in Rio having the time of his life. Well, can he walk around without a fuel for a month? He refills himself. He's built to do everything. Eat, drink, sleep. You'll take good care of my wife, won't you, Betel? Well, your wife is rather nice. I'm going quite fine to her. You see? Yeah, a waller. Well, man, how long has this Marriott's incorporated outfit been in business secretly for two years now? Why? Well, I wonder... He's supposed to have a possibility that I might get in touch with him. You? But your nanny is madly in love with you. Well, I know that, but even so... Just a little respitional night or two once a month, huh?

8:20But she loves you dearly. So much she can't bear me to leave her for a half an hour. You know that lately she's taken the calling me up at work, 10 or 12 times a day, talking baby talk? Your nanny? So now what do you say, old man? As a favor to an old buddy, huh? A fellow large member? Well, I could put you in touch with a man who makes them... Because you'd be pledged a secrecy once you learn where he's looking. Oh, naturally, naturally. Very well, and then here's his card. Marriott's incorporated. W. Zieg, for prior to an owner. New humanoid plastic 1990 models guaranteed against wear. No strings attached. Dress, the jumpershop. 43 Southwisely dry. Listen, cycle, take care of the charming fellow. Real craftsmanship. That's wonderful. World I'll see him first thing them all. Well, I better be getting home now, or nanny is probably splitting a gasket. Well, see you around, old man, after I get back from real.

9:20Oh, while I'm going, you might drop around regularly just as you always have. Treat brailing too here as if he were me. Otherwise, glory might be suspicious. Yes, fine, I'll do that. Oh, before I go, these Marionettes are safe, aren't they? They're all absolutely. Tell him, be till. Oh, we're guaranteed. Well, that's fine. Well, good night, Walter. Good night, B2. Good night, Mr. Smith. Good night, Andre. Ah. Well, I'm glad someone else will have a chance at a little happiness and freedom. All right, brailing too. It's back into the cellar box for you. Come on, down the steps. That's it. It's a very damp down here, Mr. Brailing. Dad's loving. There we are. Brailing, young. Before you put me back into the toolbox, could we have a word?

10:21Certainly, old man. Now, this toolbox. Yes, what about it? Well, I don't like it, Mr. Brailing. Why not? It's cramped. Well, I'll try to fix up something more comfortable when I get back them really. All right, now, before glory gets wary back into the Marionettes, I'm made to move. And I keep still. How would you like to lie in a stuffy old box most of the time? Well, I didn't realize you fell as well that sensitive. Well, you wouldn't like it at all. I keep running. There's no way to shut me off. I have my feelings, you know. Well, a day after tomorrow, I'll be off to Rio. And you won't have to stay in the box for a whole month. You can move upstairs. But when you come back from Rio, I'll go back into the box. Mr. Tsai didn't tell me, Marionettes, incorporate it, that it was possible to get a difficult specimen. Oh, well, there's a lie he doesn't know my nice. Look, look, look, here, B2. This is going far enough. I'll never get to Rio. Come on, come on, I'll enter the box. And another thing. Well, your wife. Yes, what about mine?

11:21I've grown quite fond of it. I'm glad that you enjoy your employment. You'll have the whole month. I'm afraid you don't quite understand, Marion. I've fallen in love with it. Yes, well, you what? Well, you see it. Well, you just don't appreciate it. Maybe if you hadn't acted so weak in apologetic about everything, well, she'd have a little more respect for you as a man. You weren't supposed to behave like this, you know. I think I could be very happy if I were married to Gloria. Aren't you forgetting that you are nothing but a big, overgrown puppet? I'm careful brailing. I'm sensitive. I'm sorry. Look, you would mind waiting here a moment. Would you? I have to go upstairs and make a phone call. To whom? Nobody important. I have to call Henry Smith about something. You're lying. No, you're going to call Marion, it's incorporated, and tell Mr. Tsai to come and get me. No, really. I'm not. I was, I was, be too, stay away. Now stand where you are, brailing. Be too. Take your hand off my arm.

12:21No, brailing. What are you going to do? Nothing much. I'm just going to put you in a toolbox, lock it and lose the key. Then I'll buy another ticket to Rio and Gloria and I can have a wonderful vacation. You're insane. Oh, am I? Now, wait a minute. Hold on. Be too. Don't, don't, don't be rash. Now, let's talk this over. You're a good vibrator. Now, be too stop it. Go into the box, bring it there. That's it, all. Run me out. Walter, Walter. Yes, Gloria. What in the world are you doing down there? It's just time of night. Well, nothing, lover. The pipes were knocking and I'm just making sure the boiler hasn't exploded. Now you go to bed and I'll be up soon. Hurry, won't you? I said, tonight evening, I'm launching for you. You won't ever be launching again, darling. Never again.

13:29Good morning, Nuddy. Good morning, darling. How are you? Have a nice time last night. I missed you so. Is breakfast ready? Well, aren't you going to kiss me good morning? Oh, yes, I suppose so. You're so wonderful, Henry. I guess I'm the luckiest person in the world. Now, here's your coffee. How would you like your eggs? Oh, anyway, at all. But I want to please you. Look, skip the eggs this morning. But you have to keep well, darling. I'm very healthy. I have an early business appointment this morning. Oh. Yes, it's a friend of all the Braillings. I met all the last night. Oh. Yes, so I better be off. Well, Nuddy, don't look as if I were on my way to Rio or something. Well, it's just that I miss you so. I want to be with you all the time.

14:31Dear, do I have to go through this every morning? I'll be back at supper. Now, there's no need to cry now, is there? No, darling. You want displeased with me? I try so hard to do everything just as I think you like it. I know. I'm not displeased. Goodbye, dear. Henry. Yes? You forgot to kiss me goodbye. No strings attached, no strings attached. Are you not a puppet with no strings attached? Let's see, in a jumbled shop. 43 South Wesley. That should be about... Ah, here it is. Yes? Mr. Zag. Yes? Walter Braillings recommended me Enter. Thank you.

15:32Your name? Henry Smith, 55, Evergreen Place. And what can we do for you, Mr. Smith? Well, Mr. Braillings showed me his Marionette last night. I was intrigued with the idea. Not that my wife has anything like that female meat grinder. He's married to you, understand? Well, I'm a man who enjoys an occasion, leaving with the boys, you know, without a complication. That should be the case. Yes, so I thought... That I could duplicate you? Exactly. I think it might be a ring. We have how much? $9,000. I have an inferior model at 75. No, no, no, no. If I go through with this, nothing is too good for Nettie. Nettie's my wife. We've been putting money aside by a summer home in the Westport, but sometimes we must choose. Yes, yes, well, perhaps I could just slip out 9,000. It's a joint account. How soon could I have it?

16:32Oh, I could construct a mannequin about two months' time. Good. Shall I consider the order plate? At once. Of course, you'll have to report here for a body mold, color index of your hair, lips, skin, etc. And I'll have to do a complete electro-emotional calibration. Now, you guarantee me that these models are full proof. Yes, full proof is I can make the Mr. Smith and I have had years of training. And there's no chance of detection? None, whatever. I've never had a complaint. Very well, Mr. Zieg. I'll get the money from the bank and send it to you. I am sure you won't be sorry, Mr. Smith. You will be just as satisfied as Walter Brailing. Oh, tell him. Yes, Mr. Smith. I'd like to cash this draft on my joint account.

17:34Yes, sir. 9,000 dollars, sir. That's right. I'm afraid that's impossible, Mr. Smith. Impossible? My wife and I have a good $15,000 in our account. Your mistake, Mr. Smith. Well, I know. Here's your card, sir. You see, Mr. Smith withdrew $10,000 recently. $10,000? Without even telling me? I remember it distinctly, Mr. Smith. She said it was for a surprise for you. Oh, good Lord. She's bought that house in Connecticut. My birthday is next week. She... Oh, no, no, no. I've got the bar with somewhere. I've already contacted... Yes, sir. Quite a surprise for you. Mm-hmm, Mr. Smith. Hello, Henry. Hello, Gloria. It's a roller home. I'd like to speak to him. He should be back soon. Will you wait? Yes, yes, I better. Oh, say, Henry, as long as you're here, maybe you can help me with something. Why? I went downstairs to get an old suitcase a little while ago, and I heard the strangest noises

18:35near that old tool chest of waters. He mentioned that the boy had a little bit of a headache and he was like, I'm not sure if he was a little bit of a kid. A tool chest of waters. He mentioned that the boiler was acting up, and well, I'm afraid to go down there again. I wonder if you'd take a look. What kind of noises? Like a...a...a thumping sound. Uh-huh. Well, maybe I'd better go down, Gloria. You stay up here. Should I call a plumber, do you think? No, no, no, I'll take care of it. Well, it's right down those stairs. Ah, no, I have a look. Hello? Hello, and... Hello, and there. Let me out. Let me out! Shh! Just a minute, keep quiet for goodness sake. Let me out! I'll have to smash the lock. Now, what in the... Thank God you've come. What's the... I've been in there all night. I thought I'd suffocate. He tried to kill me. He tried to murder me.

19:35Oh, which one are you? Oh, don't be an idiot. I'm Walter. What...what happened? Me too, the Marionette. He stuffed me in a toolbox and left me to suffocate. What? Fortunately, I found an old file in there, managed to get an air hole through the wood. Oh, God. He's taking Gloria with him to Rio. They left yet? No, he's gone downtown for the tickets. Good. We may have time. For what? To get down to Marionette's incorporated and tell Mr. Tsai to stop him. You're in no condition. Don't worry about me. We can't waste any time. Now, come on. What about Gloria? I'll sneak out. Tell her that you fixed the plumbing. Tell her anything. I'll meet you outside. All right. What a fool I've been. What a fool I almost was. I went down and ordered one of those things today. Gloria. Gloria, love. Yes, darling. Did you get the tickets to Rio?

20:35Right here in my wallet. Honeymoon for two under the campus moon. Oh, Waller, it's so nice to have you like this. Oh, you like the change? I don't know what did it, but whatever it is, I'm in favor of it. I hope it's permanent. I intend to see that it is. By the way, darling, do you happen to remember where that old pistol of mine is? Pistol. Yeah, I just thought since we're going to be traveling in strange countries, it wouldn't hurt to bring it along. Well, I think it's here in the sideboard. There. You know how frightened I am of these things. Well, I'll be very careful of it. In fact, I think I'll go down to the basement and practice. And not really shooting it, of course, just to make sure it's in good working order. Well, now do be careful, darling. No, I will. If you should hear a shot now, don't be frightened. I may fire it into a block of wood just to test it. Perhaps I'll fire it into that old tool chest of mine. That should absorb it. Oh, speaking of that tool chest.

21:36What about it? It reminds me that Henry Smith was here. Oh. Yes, I heard some noises downstairs and he went to fix the plumbing. Is he still down there? No, no, he left. I really don't understand it. He seems so anxious to see you before he went down to the cellar. And then he just left. Did he stop the noises? Well, he must have. I don't hear them. I see. What is it there? Well, I have to go out for a while, darling. But Walter, we have to pack if we're leaving. Well, I'll be back soon. There's something very important I have to attend to. What is it? Well, just some personal business with Henry Smith. Now, please excuse me, darling. And I don't worry. When I get back, everything will be fixed once and for all. Now, we can enjoy the rest of our lives just as though the old Walter Brailing never existed. Oh, Mr. Brailing and Mr. Smith. Come in, gentlemen.

22:36Come in. What brings you? Mr. Zieg, you told me your marionettes were full proof. They are. My personal guarantee goes with you. We know who about your personal guarantee. Except that Mr. Brailing and Mr. Smith are in the same room. What brings you? Mr. Zieg. Except that Mr. Brailing is dummy knocked him out, stuffed him in a toolbox to suffocate, and is making plans to run away with his wife. Oh, dear. Yes, well, Mr. Zieg. Well, I really don't know what to say, gentlemen. What Mr. Brailing and myself would like to know, Mr. Zieg, is exactly what are you planning to do to stop this over ambitious robot? Well, of course, we shall have to recover a B2 first. And then I'll simply dismantle him. And he doesn't seem to want to be dismantled, Mr. Zieg. In fact, I think that you will have trouble catching him. Maybe I can save you the trouble, gentlemen. Yes. B2. Look out, he's got a gun. I thought I'd find you here when I discovered the tool chest and... Oh, you look, B2.

23:37Whatever you're planning, you won't get away with it. Oh, I think I will. Mr. Zieg, can't you do something? I'm afraid I can't think of anything. I'll save you the trouble because I'm going to kill the three of you. No, you won't get away with it. No, no. The glory and I will be on the plane to Rio in a few hours. All right, Mr. Zieg, you first. Now, see here. This isn't fair. I created you. You can't. You... You grab him. I've got him. Quick, that hammer. Look out. Oh, well... That's the end of Brailing 2. But he got Zieg, though. Right through the... Holy chump and catfish, and it's not a cat. Look at Zieg. There's nothing but a mass of... Coils and springs just like Brailing 2. Well, he's nothing but a Marriott. He's no different. Brailing. Do you know what this means? Oh, this is incredible. A Marriott building other Marriott, sir. But someone must have built Mr. Zieg originally.

24:39I wonder... Well, perhaps Mr. Zieg turned on whoever built him, the same way Brailing 2 turned on you. At any rate, we'll never know. I wonder how many of these things are walking around. I'm honest. Oh, I shudder to think of that. You know, some of our best friends might be. Oh, come on. We have to get out of here. But the police... Now, don't be a fool, Brailing. There's been no crime committed here. All the police will find us to oversized puppets with the springs coming out of them. And they seem so... So, life lights? I know, and they were only machinery. You got to remember that. What do I tell Gloria? Well, if I were you Brailing, I wouldn't tell Gloria a thing. I'd simply pick up that other ticket to Rio and take her on a honeymoon just as she's expecting. What about you, though? And what do you do? Me? I'm going home and giving Nadi a kiss to the little... Singer hair. Well, you know, when I think of what might have happened if I'd gone through with this Marriott thing, it makes her fellow realize how lucky he is to be married to a decent woman. Oh, come on. Let's go.

25:45Nadi! Nadi! Where are you, sweetheart? In here, darling. Oh, I've missed you today. Come here. Oh, Henry. Hmm. Oh, you look tired, darling. Can I do something for you? Just tell me I'm yours to command. Oh, man, it's a fool to jeopardize a nice home. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you, man, it's a fool to jeopardize a nice home. I love you, man. I love you. Oh, you do love me. Don't you, Nadi? Oh, no, I do. Here, let me get your slippers on. No. Oh, it feels good to sit back on the sofa and relax. Oh, you don't know what a trying day I've had. Oh, I can see you're all upset. It... isn't anything I've done, is it, dear? No, no, no. Well, in a way, something you've done is connected with, I guess. What's that, darling? It's a money. Money? I know you wanted to surprise me with the house, darling, but really, you shouldn't have taken that money out of the bank without consulting me.

26:46And, really, I don't even know what you're talking about. Aha, now, Nadi. But I don't. Oh, you're so upset, darling. If it's anything important, let's talk about it later. You wow. Why don't you just put your head in my shoulder and rest? Mm-hmm. Well, I must admit that sounds enticing. Yeah. Let me make you comfortable. Mm-hmm. Yeah. I just close your eyes. Mm-hmm. That's it. Mm-hmm. Nadi. Yes, darling? You hear something? No, darling. You sure? Like what? Like the... Taking up a clock? No. Strange. I don't hear it now, but... When I had my ear against your chest... I don't know. I don't know if she couldn't have done that to me. Not Nadi. What are you talking about? I'm talking about... No, I won't believe it. You're my Nadi, aren't you?

27:47You're a real live flesh and blood. But I hear it. It's coming from you. It's coming from you. You have just heard X-1 presented by the National Broadcasting Company in Cooperation with Street and Smith, Publishers of Astounding Science Fiction. Tonight by transcription, X-1 has brought you Marionettes Incorporated, written by Ray Bradbury and adapted for radio by George Leffords. Featured in the cast were less Damon, Dick Hamilton, Carl Swenson, Tale Getz, Arthur Cole, Bob Hastings, Freddy Chandler, and Ginger Jones. Your announcer Fred Collins. X-1 was directed by Daniel Sutter and is an NBC Radio Network production.

28:54Profitball Championship Los Angeles Rams versus Cleveland Brown's Monday, NBC Radio.