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Join us for a thrilling episode of the WRC Theater as we delve into "The Colony," a mystery drama written by Field and Farrington. Hosted by E. G. Marshall, this episode takes listeners on a suspenseful journey through the quaint town of Colony, New Hampshire. As Michael and Mary Duncan embark on a camping trip, they encounter an unidentified flying object, leading them into a web of intrigue and danger. The couple's report of the sighting to the local sheriff sets off a chain of events that reveals a chilling secret about the town's inhabitants.
As the story unfolds, the Duncans find themselves imprisoned and facing the terrifying prospect of being taken over by alien beings. With the help of the town's only free resident, Mae Norton, they must find a way to resist the alien control and escape. This episode explores themes of mind control, alien invasion, and the power of human resilience. Tune in to discover if the Duncans can free themselves and the town from the alien menace.
(00:15) Introduction to The Colony
(01:45) A Macabre Encounter on a New Hampshire Highway
(05:07) Reporting the UFO Sighting
(12:45) The Town's Secret
(21:16) May Norton's Revelation
(28:16) The Alien Takeover Plan
(36:22) The Fight for Freedom
(40:08) Aftermath and Reflection
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[00:00:00]
Unknown:
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[00:00:16] Unknown:
Stay tuned now for the WRC Theater, which brings you The Colony. Come in. Welcome. I'm E. G. Marshall, in charge of the bizarre, keeper of the grotesque, collector of the fantastic. It is my duty to delve into unfrequented places in search of the unexpected. I deal in that touch of the improbable, which gives a series of events the quality we call mystery. If an element of horror creeps in now and again, you don't really mind, do you? I thought, ma'am. Actually, that's why we're all here, isn't it? You wanna take some advice from an old woman who Our mystery drama, The Colony, was written especially for the mystery theater by Field and Farrington, and stars Tony Roberts.
It is sponsored in part by Sign Off, the Sinus Medicines, and Buick Motor Division. I'll be back shortly with act one. If you were doing the looking, where would you look for an occurrence that could be properly described as macabre? Where would you expect a nightmare to happen? In some dusty dungeon overlaid with a patina of past horrors, in an ancient middle European famous for its vampires and walking dead. Well, weird goings on would seem suitable in such places. It's true. But how about a well maintained highway in beautiful New Hampshire caught basking in the glory of the late afternoon sun.
I can't believe it. Can't believe what, Michael? Three weeks, Mary. Three long weeks of gypsy, three lovely weeks of going wherever we choose to go and staying as long as we like Going on whenever we like I just can't believe it Well, what we better start thinking about is a campsite for the night Now there's supposed to be a very good one at a place called Essex
[00:02:43] Unknown:
We don't supposedly pass it to you Well, check them out I have, I just can't seem to find it Oh, Michael, slow down, there's a sign coming up Yeah, yeah, yeah, I see it Colony, New Hampshire, population six thirty four Well, maybe we can stop and ask somebody here where Essex
[00:03:01] Unknown:
is. Okay.
[00:03:03] Unknown:
I'd like to get everything squared away before it gets dark. We will.
[00:03:07] Unknown:
Remember, we have the care in the world. Michael, go.
[00:03:14] Unknown:
Michael, go.
[00:03:18] Unknown:
What is that thing?
[00:03:19] Unknown:
I have no idea. I never saw anything like it before. What's some kind of an airship? It looked like it came right up out of the wall right in front of us. Yeah. I think it was behind that clump of trees at at at the turn right up there. I'm gonna get out and take a look. Oh, look. And look at what? The thing's gone wrong. Yeah. But I did I must have burned off some grass or something. Hey. Didn't you see the flames shooting out underneath it? Some kind of rockets, I guess. Come on. Just I'm just in back of these trees. No. I'm sure this is where it came from. Michael,
[00:03:52] Unknown:
do you think it was an unidentified flying object?
[00:03:56] Unknown:
Yeah. Well, I sure couldn't identify her. Hey, there.
[00:03:59] Unknown:
Look. The bronze burned to a crisp in that big circle. Has it been that big? No, I don't think so.
[00:04:07] Unknown:
Hey, if you ask me, there's been more than one of these landing and taking off here. Come on. Let's get back to the car, please. It's
[00:04:13] Unknown:
well, it's kinda scary.
[00:04:15] Unknown:
Yeah. Okay.
[00:04:17] Unknown:
But we ought to report this to somebody. Don't you think?
[00:04:20] Unknown:
Yeah. I don't know. Hey. Everybody who reports an unidentified flying object always gets treated like a crackpot. But nobody believes you wants to go to reporting it. They'll have to believe it. We saw it. Yeah. Yeah. And that's what they all say.
[00:04:34] Unknown:
Well, we can bring them back here and show them where the grass has burned off.
[00:04:38] Unknown:
Yeah. There is that.
[00:04:41] Unknown:
Michael, that was a real thing we saw. And we don't know where it came from or or what kind of a threat it may represent. Well, somebody ought to check it out. Yeah. I guess you're right.
[00:04:51] Unknown:
Okay. We'll report it when we get to, what was the name of that town?
[00:04:56] Unknown:
Colony. Colony, New Hampshire. Population, 634.
[00:05:08] Unknown:
And, that's where it was, sheriff Marcus. I mean, the thing nearly scared us to death. Wishing up out of nowhere right in front of us, shooting out flames and everything. What they always say, you know, about flying saucers is that they're just some kind of optical illusion. Well, this was not an optical illusion, sheriff. It was just as real as you are sitting there. Yeah. And we can take you back there and show you where the grass is all burned off. Well, we'll have a look later on. That's for sure. Later on? Right now, what I'd like is to have a talk with Annie Stebbins about this. Oh, who's Annie Stebbins? Mayor of Colony.
You don't hardly ever do anything without consulting Annie on it first. Where was you on your way to?
[00:05:51] Unknown:
Oh, well, we're just sort of jiggling around. You know? We're, on a camping trip.
[00:05:55] Unknown:
Thought we'd see as much of New England as we can in three weeks. Well, we did wanna get to a place called Essex before dark. They said there's a good campsite there, and, well, we just thought we'd like to set up camp before dark. Don't know if you'd be able to do that. Essex is about 60 miles on down the road. Oh, darn. It would have been nice to get there before dark. That's all. Tell you what.
[00:06:16] Unknown:
I'll take you on down to May Norton's place. Where's that? May's widow lady lives other into town, the old daily place. We haven't got a real honest to goodness restaurant in Carnet, but May sometimes gives folks on the way through their dinners, even puts them up for the night. Oh, well, I don't think we'd wanna stay for the night. Dinner doesn't sound like such a bad idea, though. You could have dinner while I'm having my talk with Annie Stebbins, then we can all go have a look at the place where your thingy took off. Ought to be able to make it there before dark.
They just don't like to make the move without I talk to Arnie first. I want to tell you, mister and miss Duncan, you're gonna get one of the finest meals you ever ate. This is not in the good cook, I think? Good. Never seen a reek will. I'll do that. Hello, May. You feel like cooking a big dinner for a couple of tired tourists tonight?
[00:07:16] Unknown:
Well, I reckon I could see my way clear too. Be the regular price. It's $4 a piece, which he always charges. Well, come in. Come in. You can make yourself comfortable there in the sitting room till I get things on the table.
[00:07:30] Unknown:
He may be a half hour or so. Just make yourselves right at home. I mean, he doesn't stand on ceremony. I just want to have a word with him and, I'll go have him talk with Arnie. How long do you think you'll be? Oh, ought to be back by the time you finish dinner shortly after.
[00:07:48] Unknown:
Something you wanna talk to me about, ma'am? You, wouldn't have cup of coffee, would you? Well, I got some I made a while back. I guess it's still fit to drink. Sure. It is. You didn't leave them in the sitting room just to get a cup of coffee, though, did you? Truth is, I've been wanting to talk to you, Mae. Well, go ahead and talk.
[00:08:08] Unknown:
Them folks you got out there in your sitting room, the Dunkin's, they come into my office saying they seen a flying saucer.
[00:08:16] Unknown:
Oh, happened again, did it?
[00:08:20] Unknown:
I have to go talk to Annie Stebbins, of course, and I don't want them getting restless before I get back.
[00:08:28] Unknown:
I'll give them a good big dinner and see they take their time eating it. They may get restless.
[00:08:39] Unknown:
Do you think there was anything odd about the way Sheriff Marcus took it when we told him about the unidentified flying object?
[00:08:46] Unknown:
No In fact, I thought he took it very well
[00:08:50] Unknown:
Yeah, I guess that's what I mean I mean, I I think he believes us
[00:08:54] Unknown:
Well, didn't you want him to?
[00:08:56] Unknown:
Yeah, but
[00:08:58] Unknown:
I didn't expect him to But he didn't even seem surprised Well, it's just too bad there aren't more people around like him We would have had the whole UFO mystery cleared up years ago
[00:09:07] Unknown:
Maybe It just seems so strange to me, that's all
[00:09:20] Unknown:
You sure you wouldn't like another piece of the blueberry pie, mister Duncan? Oh, I just wouldn't have any place to put it, missus Norton. Oh, I can't remember the last time anybody called me Mrs. Norton. You better just make it May. Well, if I can't get you to eat anything more, why don't we just take our coffee into the living room while we're waiting for Fed to get through to in the fat with Arnie?
[00:09:44] Unknown:
I'm kind of surprised it's taken him so long.
[00:09:47] Unknown:
Oh, things don't move very fast in colony, mister Duncan. A couple of old town people like Thad and Annie get to talk and make them go on half the night. And maybe you'd like some of my blackberry brandy? Oh, no, thank you. I don't think so No, I feel fine just the way I am So you seen a flying assassin, did you? We sure did. How did you know that? Oh, Phil had said something about it before he left. What was it you wanted to do about the flying saucer after you told him about it? Well, I don't know. I I just always thought you report a thing like that to an official. That's all. Yeah. Well, maybe Annie can think of something. No. I don't know what it'd be.
If you don't mind my saying so, you might have been smarter just to mind your own business. I think UFOs are everybody's business.
[00:10:44] Unknown:
Yeah. Why why why do you think we would have been smarter?
[00:10:48] Unknown:
Well, no reason, I guess except it usually is smarter than mine the person's own business And I still say that a UFO sighting is my business I think people shrug them off too easily They can't all be weather balloons or optical illusions Too many of the things have been seen Well, I never said you've seen a weather balloon Well, you did say we should have minded our own business Well, your own good was what I meant Yeah, how do you in what way for your own good? If I was you and wanted to finish my nice vacation like I planned, I'd just get up from here right now and get into my car and I'd drive right on ahead to wherever it was I wanted to get to in the first place. I wouldn't spend one more minute than I had to in the town of Colony.
[00:11:34] Unknown:
Why?
[00:11:36] Unknown:
Just advice. I said no explaining. Well, you can't just advise us to do something like that without giving us a reason. Sure. I can. I just did.
[00:11:48] Unknown:
It's the story they told me, Arnie. I figured there wasn't much question with what they seem to think. It's too bad. I figured I'd better come to you with it. Best for you to decide what has to be done. Oh, you done right. I'm just wondering if maybe it won't have to go a little higher than me before it's settled. Up to you to decide that, I guess. Well, one thing I can tell you right now, we've gotta keep those two in town. We can't let them leave Colony. Keep them how, Arnie? They're itching to get on their way right now. No way gonna talk them into staying. You're the sheriff, ain't you? Yep. Got a jail, ain't you? But I ain't. Well, you have to hold them, Pat. Hold them for what? Ain't no law against thinking you saw a flying saucer. You think of something.
They can't be allowed to leave Colony. Not a lad. They can't.
[00:12:45] Unknown:
A quiet drive along a peaceful New England road has led to a UFO sighting, and the UFO sighting has led to danger for two two innocent people. So much for the idea, if anyone had it, that you must go looking in the wilds of Transylvania for improbable and dangerous happenings. Start being careful right in your own home while waiting for me to return shortly with act two. There's been a great deal of speculation upon the nature and origin of unidentified flying objects. The speculation has led to a wealth of conjecture, but a remarkable dearth of answers. Many reasonable thinking men and women believe the UFOs to be very real, at least as many others believe them to be figments of mass imagination.
Our story doesn't pretend to offer an answer. It simply explores one of many possibilities.
[00:13:55] Unknown:
That's most likely the sheriff back from talking to the mayor. Now don't let on I said what I said to you. Advising us to run, you mean? It wouldn't do you two no good, and it most likely get me into a mess of trouble. Well, alright. If we won't say anything about it, will we, Mike? Oh, I suppose not. I don't know why. Alright. Alright. I'm coming. Keep your shirt
[00:14:18] Unknown:
on. Everything alright, Mae?
[00:14:20] Unknown:
Of course. Everything's alright. Come on in.
[00:14:23] Unknown:
Sorry to keep you two waiting around like this. And he made me go over your story about two, three times. He was right concerned about it.
[00:14:32] Unknown:
Are we going to have a a look at the place the thing took off from? Oh, well, yes. We'll do that. Of course.
[00:14:39] Unknown:
First though, we're all gonna meet in my office, town hall. Well, it's going to be dark if we don't stop fooling around. Little ladies are 100% right. We better be on our way. Mayor Stebbins. I want you to meet miss and miss Duncan. Two I told you about. A pleasure indeed.
[00:14:58] Unknown:
Glad to know you, ma'am. Don't you think we better get started? I I mean, Michael and I still have to find a place to spend the night. Oh, there's plenty of time, miss Duncan.
[00:15:07] Unknown:
I'm a man never did like to rush things headlong. Better to consider a thing from all angles first, don't you think? Now, where were you two driving from today?
[00:15:18] Unknown:
Well, we spent last night at a motel just outside Stamford. We plan to start our real, camping tonight.
[00:15:26] Unknown:
A place called Essex was where you wanted to get to? Yes. That's right. Well, now, where'd you stop for lunch today?
[00:15:34] Unknown:
What difference could that possibly make? We, stopped at a roadside restaurant. Didn't notice,
[00:15:40] Unknown:
what town it was near. Everything to drink at the roadside restaurant? Drink? Cup of coffee, I think. No alcoholic beverages?
[00:15:52] Unknown:
We don't drink, Mayor Stebbins.
[00:15:55] Unknown:
You didn't stop anywhere along the way in the afternoon and, have a drop? No. I told you we don't drink. Well, why all the questioning, mayor? We stopped at the Sheriff's Office to report the sighting of an unidentified flying object.
[00:16:07] Unknown:
Why are we being questioned? Well, I'll tell you how it is, mister Duncan. Thad and I take our responsibility to the town of Colony right serious. Yes. So? One of the things we will not tolerate is drunken driving.
[00:16:23] Unknown:
I I I couldn't agree with you more, sir. But, what has that got to do with us? Well, I'm the kind of man, mister Duncan, that likes to keep both feet on the ground.
[00:16:32] Unknown:
I believe half of what I see and very little of what I hear. So when it comes to sauces, I never seen one. Neither did we, sir, until this afternoon. And you're sure you saw one then? Yes, sir. Quite sure. Thad, remember the time Roy Beecher thought he saw a flying saucer? Drunk school he was the time. Spent the night in jail and had a good laugh on himself the next day for thinking he'd seen a flying saucer. I remember it well. Been my opinion ever since that anybody thinks he sees a flying saucer. He's been drinking too much.
[00:17:09] Unknown:
All there is to it. Flying saucer, too much booze. This is ridiculous. You're accusing us of drunken driving? I've got no choice. You claiming you saw a flying saucer, Lord. But I tell you we don't drink. We never drink. Don't you have some kind of a test? Blow it a balloon or something like that? Too late for that now.
[00:17:26] Unknown:
Might not have been when you first came in, but it is now. Hey. Besides, you've had one of May Norton's monstrous big suppers on top of whatever it was you had to drink this afternoon. So best you just,
[00:17:38] Unknown:
spend the night here with us. We can talk more about it in the morning.
[00:17:42] Unknown:
Spend the night here with you? We've got a right comfortable jail here. Right back there through that door. Are you suggesting that my wife and I spend the night in your jail?
[00:17:52] Unknown:
Not just suggesting it, Mr. Duncan. That's the way it's gonna be.
[00:17:58] Unknown:
Michael, he Michael got drunk.
[00:18:02] Unknown:
Sheriff Marcus, you are going to be very sorry you drew that gun. Maybe
[00:18:08] Unknown:
so. Meantime, you two just go on back through that door, and we'll get you tucked in for the night.
[00:18:26] Unknown:
Michael? Good morning. You awake?
[00:18:30] Unknown:
Yeah. I've been awake for quite a while. I thought I'd let you sleep as long as you couldn't Surprised I went to sleep at all Did you? Yes, not really so bad, you know We slept in motels that weren't any better
[00:18:44] Unknown:
Yeah, well, I'd rather sleep in a motel just the same
[00:18:48] Unknown:
Yeah It's, it's the indignity of being jailed for the night That's what makes it so bad And for drunken driving Oh, it wasn't for that, Mary Listen, I think we got put in jail because we saw a flying saucer I mean, I figure they're they're hooked up somehow to that UFO we saw
[00:19:06] Unknown:
Who? The mayor and the sheriff?
[00:19:08] Unknown:
Oh, how could they be? I don't know, but why else would they wanna lock us up? Well, then you think the drunken driving charge was was just an excuse? Oh, sure. Of course it was.
[00:19:20] Unknown:
Mister and missus Duncan? Yeah. Who is it? May Norton. I brought your breakfast.
[00:19:27] Unknown:
Oh, well, I'm a lot more interested in getting out of here than I am in breakfast.
[00:19:31] Unknown:
Wouldn't want you driving off on an empty stomach. What time does the sheriff get in in the morning? I don't know. Different times, I expect. I don't have a key to the cell there. I'll have to shove the trays in under the door. Hey. Some secured ham, fried eggs, home fried potatoes, hot biscuits, and honey. Hope you got a good appetite. Well, that's one thing we won't be able to complain about at least.
[00:19:55] Unknown:
The food? Well, I'll be bringing all your meals. I'll see to it you're fed real good. Yeah. Well, this is the last meal that you're gonna have to bother with because the sheriff has no excuse whatever for holding us any longer. He's gonna have to let us go this morning. Well,
[00:20:09] Unknown:
I wouldn't depend on it if I was you. Eat your breakfast before your eggs get cold.
[00:20:20] Unknown:
You busy, Annie? Oh, come in, Pat. Come in. You been in to check up on our guest this morning? Ain't been to my office yet. Don't go as I'll get down there for a while. Kind of embarrassing. You've decided yet what we're gonna do about them? I reckon so. I had to check it out first because I don't feel comfortable about it, honey. Any special reason? Well, this young couple, they're the kind of folks it's likely to have a whole slew of friends and relations fretting over them if they don't show up where they're expected. How long a vacation they on? Three weeks, I think. One of them said just starting to.
Just kind of meandering around, camping wherever they happen to be like it. That's the idea I got. No advance itinerary? You wouldn't think so. Well, then I I don't see we got anything to worry about. Sooner or later, their folks are gonna be out looking for them. Dad, we're gonna have to convert them. We're gonna have to take them over and keep them here. It's the only way.
[00:21:35] Unknown:
Lunchtime. Start you off with a nice plan, Joe. Where's the sheriff?
[00:21:41] Unknown:
I couldn't rightly say, mister Duncan. I did see him over at Harry's Diner around 10:30 or eleven. But where are you going now? We haven't seen a soul all morning. I mean, except for you, there's been nobody in here the whole day. Well,
[00:21:53] Unknown:
I reckon he must have had business somewhere. So the sheriff has got no right to keep us in jail and we wanna get out. I I have the right to make a phone call. Now I should have been allowed to make a phone call last night. Oh, it looks like I'm gonna have to tell you the whole story. What whole story? Here, just let me shove your lunch under the door here. You can eat while you're listening I don't want to eat anything Might as well Michael Well what story are you gonna tell us? Well it started a couple of years ago What started? Well that was when they first landed The flying saucers.
[00:22:32] Unknown:
You mean flying saucers have been sighted here before? Oh, my. Yes.
[00:22:37] Unknown:
I was sitting out in my front yard there shelling peas. I recollect like it was yesterday. They came swooping down out of the sky, like, to scare me out of my wits. Three of them there was in that first bunch. I'd know there'd been more than one landing in that place. Well, I see folks coming out of their houses looking toward where they'd landed. You know? So I put my pen of peas to one side and I started walking in that direction along with the rest of them. Well, it's a funny thing. What? What funny thing now? There's a spell there where everything was real mixed up and I don't remember very well.
[00:23:15] Unknown:
You don't remember what?
[00:23:17] Unknown:
Well, for one thing, what they looked like. Who? The folks, those things, whatever they was that got out of those flying sauces. I've talked to some of the others, and they can't remember that part either. Like it got erased or something. All I remember is just a kind of jumble until that evening, I guess it would be, that same evening. Why? What happened that evening? They had us all collected in a place that looked like one of them mad scientist's laboratories. Oh, like you see in Lowell movies, you know? They had the whole town in there. Every soul of us.
I found out later it was down in the basement of the town hall there. They'd rigged the old cellar down there for a laboratory. Still using it there. Still?
[00:24:06] Unknown:
You mean,
[00:24:07] Unknown:
they're still around? Wait till I tell you. Thad Marcus and Arnie Stebbins were already running things. They've been converted before we woke up or or we come to or whatever it was we did. Converted? That's what they called it. They was leading us one at a time up to a thing looked like a dentist chair. And they'd make us sit in it and put a thing kind of like a hairdryer over our heads. And then they'd flip a lot of switches, Thad Marcus and Annie Stebbins, just like they knew what they were doing. And then whoever was in the chair would kind of shiver and slump down for a minute until Thad and Annie threw some more switches.
Then they'd take that one back to his seat and lead up the next one. Well, what were they doing to the people in the chair? Converting.
[00:24:59] Unknown:
You mean by, converting?
[00:25:01] Unknown:
Well, you will when I come to that part. They put me in the dentist chair and put their hairdryer thing over my head and started flipping their switches. I got a funny feeling. I'll never forget it. Like my head was being all separated into little bitty pieces and put back together in a different way. Something like that. Well, I passed out for a minute. When I come to, they would lead me back to my feet with the others. Only it wasn't me.
[00:25:30] Unknown:
It wasn't you. I was
[00:25:32] Unknown:
it seemed like I was occupying just a little corner of my head while somebody or something else was using the rest of it. Well I don't understand why I didn't either at first but I did later on. One of the things out of the flying saucers had taken me over. I was still in there the real me but I had nothing to do with what my body thought or said or did. I've been possessed. But what about what about the rest of them all just like me took over every last one of them. And are they still controlled? Still are every last soul in this town.
[00:26:15] Unknown:
I had to, get free.
[00:26:18] Unknown:
Stubborn. That's all. I just wouldn't give into all that electrical mumbo jumbo. Kept on resisting and fighting till I got the upper hand. How could you do that when, the others couldn't? I've been thinking about that a lot and I think I got it figured out. My great or my great great grandmother, something like that, was burned for a witch when they had the trouble over in Salem. Maybe I inherited something from her. So what are you saying that you're a witch? Oh, man, no. I don't believe in that kind of nonsense. No, what I'm saying is all them women that got accused of being witches all they was was just stubborn women.
I mean stubborn way past ordinary. So stubborn they just would have their own way and nothing else would do. And that's what you think you inherited from your great great grandmother, her stubbornness. Well, I got it. No question about that. Come to some alien taking over my mind I was just too pig headed to let him have it that's all.
[00:27:19] Unknown:
But what about the others?
[00:27:21] Unknown:
Let me know all the rest of the people who who've been taken over. Well it's my opinion that if they had just stood up and refused to give in to the aliens, they'd all be free right now. What happened to the alien who who tried to take possession of you? I just threw her out. Last I've heard of her. I don't know what became of her. Evaporated, I wouldn't be surprised. Mhmm.
[00:27:43] Unknown:
Well, that's, quite a story.
[00:27:46] Unknown:
It's more than story as you'll find out. What do you mean is we'll find out? Don't you see? They'll have to convert you. What else can they do now that you know about the flying saucers? This time tomorrow unless you can figure some way out of it you will be one of them.
[00:28:16] Unknown:
What could be more terrifying than the prospect of having your mind and body taken over by an alien being, then being left with nothing of your true self but a small impotent corner of awareness. To be forced to watch helplessly as your own body performed deeds you found unspeakable. This is what may confront Michael and Mary Duncan when I return shortly with act three. If we're to believe May Norton's story, the bodies and minds of all the citizens of Colony, New Hampshire have been taken over and are controlled by alien beings who come and go in space ships, like the one Michael and Mary Duncan saw on their way into the village. Michael and Mary are being held incommunicado in the Colony Jail and are, again, according to May Norton, slated to be taken over themselves
[00:29:17] Unknown:
by the aliens.
[00:29:18] Unknown:
They can't do it, can they, Michael? I don't know. Take control of our mind? Do you really believe that all the people in this whole town are being controlled by by beings from another galaxy or something?
[00:29:30] Unknown:
It sounds pretty outlandish, I grant you. But look there's something fishy going on here. It's got something to do with that UFO we saw. What are we gonna do Michael? I don't know. I'm trying to think of something.
[00:29:48] Unknown:
You, made up your mind, Annie, about them, have you? Yeah. Been in touch with the folks up on the mother ship about it? I had a long talk with them earlier this morning. They agree with us that there ain't nothing we can do but take over the Dunkin'. I just wish I could feel more comfortable about it. What exactly was decided? The ship's sending down the two new colonists around eight to nine. I figure we can have a takeover down in the lab around 08:30. Sound alright to you? Sounds fine. Sooner I get them too out of my jail, the better I like it.
Wait till you figure on putting them up. Well, I thought about letting them have a couple of rooms of Minotence. She's just rattling around that big old house all by herself. All that extra space has gone to waste. Good idea. Wouldn't hurt to have somebody keep an eye on Mae anyway. She's still making trouble, is she? Kind of halfway subversive talk. Nothing anybody can put a finger on. Mhmm. Now I'll schedule the takeover for half past eight tonight. We'll have everybody in to witness it as usual. Call down. Every man jack them. Want me to let them all know? I guess you better. Yes. Tell them, 08:30 sharp.
We don't wanna waste waste time
[00:31:09] Unknown:
waiting for anybody.
[00:31:16] Unknown:
Howdy, Mae.
[00:31:17] Unknown:
I've been looking for you all day, sir. Where have you been? Oh, here and there.
[00:31:23] Unknown:
What do you wanna see me about?
[00:31:25] Unknown:
Well, that young Duncan boy you've gone over there in jail, he asked me to tell you he wants to see you. Said you hadn't been in all morning. No. Well, he's bucked in to talk to you. I had other business round and about. You've been keeping a fed good ain't you? Yes. And that was something else I wanted to talk to you about. It don't seem right shoving that tray into them under the door. Ain't no way to serve a meal. Why don't you let me have a key to their cell so as I can bring the trains in and serve them right? I,
[00:31:54] Unknown:
I don't think so, Mae. Rather not take a chance them jumping into something. Main reason I stopped around is meeting tonight, Basement Of Town Hall, half past 08:00.
[00:32:08] Unknown:
Down in that laboratory place? That's right. I guess that means you're planning to take over the Dunkin' Stoney.
[00:32:15] Unknown:
You just get to the meeting on time, Mae. That's all you got to worry about.
[00:32:26] Unknown:
Marco, what are you doing?
[00:32:28] Unknown:
I'm just checking to see if there's a loose bar anywhere. I wanna get out of this place. Oh, escape. I mean, that's a little melodramatic, isn't it? Well, damn it. We could rot here, Mary. I mean, with May bringing us our meals, there's no reason why the sheriff would ever have to come around.
[00:32:42] Unknown:
No. No. In view of what May told us, I just assume he didn't. What do you mean about aliens taking possession of us?
[00:32:49] Unknown:
Yeah. Yeah. I've been thinking about that.
[00:32:52] Unknown:
Do you believe it?
[00:32:54] Unknown:
Well, I mean, we we we saw a flying saucer or whatever you wanna call it. I mean, we're being held in jail here for nothing.
[00:33:01] Unknown:
Are the aliens any harder to believe? Yoo hoo. See you again. May. Supper time. Hot roast and mashed potatoes tonight.
[00:33:11] Unknown:
Have you seen anything of Sheriff Marcus? Dad?
[00:33:14] Unknown:
Sure. I saw him. Told him you wanted to talk to him but I don't think it done any good. No. No. No. He hasn't been around. I'll just shove his trays under the door here. You better eat up right away. I tried to get the keys to the jail from Thad but he wouldn't give them to me. Said I'd like to have them so I could serve you dinner proper. Were you gonna let us out? Well, of course. What else would I want the keys for? It's very good of you, Mae. Well, you would have had to take me away with you. I couldn't have stayed on after turning you loose. Yeah. I've been wondering about that, Mae.
[00:33:49] Unknown:
Why haven't you run away?
[00:33:51] Unknown:
I mean, you're not possessed by these aliens. There's nothing holding you here. I don't know. I've always lived here all my life. Well, that's one thing. And then for another, I keep figuring sooner or later I'll get the chance to do some good. I mean, help set the others free or maybe keep them from taking over somebody like you. I don't know. I just stayed around.
[00:34:17] Unknown:
Is there any way you can,
[00:34:19] Unknown:
keep them from taking us over, Mae? No way I can think of. I've been wracking my brains, and I've got some bad news, I'm afraid.
[00:34:28] Unknown:
Oh, what bad news?
[00:34:30] Unknown:
They're planning on doing it tonight. Tonight, 08:30 sharp. They've been eating in the basement under the town hall. That's where they got that laboratory place I told you about. A meeting? Yep. They all turn out the whole town whenever there's a takeover.
[00:34:49] Unknown:
What what what are they what do they look like? I mean, these creatures, you know the creatures from outer space. Well, some like us I mean two arms two legs all that
[00:34:59] Unknown:
a face with two eyes a nose a mouth only just not quite exactly in the right places you know what I mean? And Hare more like one duck down than Hare. Oh, we don't see much of them. They don't show up except when they absolutely have to. You'll see a couple of them tonight. We will. Yeah. The two they send down to take you over. Oh. Alright. Now look. There there's gotta be some way to stop them. There must be. I wish I could think of what it is.
[00:35:40] Unknown:
What time is it, Mary? I'll let my watch run down. Ten after eight. Michael, they'll be coming for us. Alright. Now look, when they come, I imagine it'll be the sheriff. Don't don't make a fuss of any kind, you know? Don't try to hold back or anything like that Why not? Well, I want the sheriff to be as, favorably disposed toward us as possible I'm gonna ask him to let me make a little speech before the changeover
[00:36:04] Unknown:
What kind of a speech, Michael?
[00:36:06] Unknown:
Well, I think it's just as well you don't know in advance, Mary.
[00:36:09] Unknown:
Have you thought of a way to keep us from being taken over?
[00:36:14] Unknown:
Well, maybe.
[00:36:22] Unknown:
You two can take your places on the podium there to the left of the mayor. He'll be sitting just to your left. Why do we have to be on stage? You'll find out all in good time.
[00:36:34] Unknown:
Michael. Yes. Michael, look at those who's tending to the back of the stage to find the mayor. The alien. They're really not human, are they? No. Oh, Michael. I don't want one of those things inside my mind. No.
[00:36:50] Unknown:
Alright. Let's come to order here.
[00:36:54] Unknown:
Sheriff Marcus. Have these two been informed of the nature of tonight's proceedings? Not yet, Mayor. Please so inform them. Michael Duncan, Mary Duncan, you are hereby served notice that you will this night have the honor of contributing your bodies and the remainder of your lives to the advancement of the great new civilization which is about to be realized upon your earth.
[00:37:22] Unknown:
How can you do a thing like that?
[00:37:25] Unknown:
You've already been told all you need to know.
[00:37:28] Unknown:
I see. Listen to me. You who are enslaved in your own minds and bodies, hear me and think. Think as yourselves. You can do it if you try. One of your number has done it. There is one of you who has been secretly free the whole time. Me? I'm free. We may not know the one. Alright. Alright. That'll be enough. You, Mayor Stebbins, I wanna talk to you. Not to the arrogant creature who has assumed command of your body, Arnie Stebbins, but you. The Arnie Stebbins who was once the mayor of this town. The Stebbins who can hear me but cannot act. I'm speaking to you Arnie Stebbins. You can act if you will it strongly enough.
But you were once a strong man, a leader. That strength is all it takes to set you free. Use it. Resist. Think yourself your own man, and you will be your own man. Make him stop. No, Thad doesn't want me to stop. Not the real Thad. He's like you, Arnie Stebbins and all the rest of you. He wants to be free also.
[00:38:35] Unknown:
Pry, Arnie. Pry. No. No. No. Make him stop. You don't do it Arnie. You can't.
[00:38:42] Unknown:
No. No.
[00:38:45] Unknown:
Arnie's Stebbins has won. Arnie Stebbins is free. And what he has done, you can all do. Try. Be stronger than they are. Try. Duncan, help me. Them sad Marcus. Really sad Marcus. I I I want to help. Yes. You'll get out. You all will. You're all going to be free.
[00:39:16] Unknown:
It ain't quite twenty four hours yet, Mr. Duncan. And more than half of them is free already. And then that eight are harboring some mighty sick aliens. You think they'll all be able to free themselves? Every last one of them. No doubt in my mind, whatever. Where? I mean, I I just wondered what happens to the aliens when they're cast out. I don't know. They're out. That's all I care about. We'll be all right here, Mr. Duncan. You two can go ahead with your trip now. Yeah. You don't think we ought to, stay until they're all free? I don't think there's any need for it. We're all right now or soon will be all of us. The only thing that worries me what there's still something there?
I can't help wondering how many other towns they've got the way they had Colony.
[00:40:08] Unknown:
How many towns the size of Colony, New Hampshire do you suppose there are in this huge country of ours? And what do you do if you see an unidentified flying object taking off near one of them? Stop at the sheriff's office and report it, or drive straight on through the town as if somebody or something were after you? I'll be back in a few minutes. Colony is just another small New England town these days. The people go about their commonplace affairs as though nothing more melodramatic than a Sunday school picnic had ever happened there. But they remember.
Arnie Stebbins never meets with the town council without wondering if they are all truly themselves. And Tad Marcus making his rounds in the sheriff's official car keeps a weather eye out for unidentified flying objects. Our cast included Tony Roberts, Morgan Fairchild, Frances Sternhagen Jackson Beck, and Guy Sorrell. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by Buick Motor Division and the sign off, the sinus medicine. This is E. G. Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre.
Until next time, pleasant Night's WR Mystery Theater was also brought to you in part by ShopRite Supermarkets where you get a lot more for a little less. The preceding program is furnished by CBS radio.
[00:42:25] Unknown:
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[00:00:16] Unknown:
Stay tuned now for the WRC Theater, which brings you The Colony. Come in. Welcome. I'm E. G. Marshall, in charge of the bizarre, keeper of the grotesque, collector of the fantastic. It is my duty to delve into unfrequented places in search of the unexpected. I deal in that touch of the improbable, which gives a series of events the quality we call mystery. If an element of horror creeps in now and again, you don't really mind, do you? I thought, ma'am. Actually, that's why we're all here, isn't it? You wanna take some advice from an old woman who Our mystery drama, The Colony, was written especially for the mystery theater by Field and Farrington, and stars Tony Roberts.
It is sponsored in part by Sign Off, the Sinus Medicines, and Buick Motor Division. I'll be back shortly with act one. If you were doing the looking, where would you look for an occurrence that could be properly described as macabre? Where would you expect a nightmare to happen? In some dusty dungeon overlaid with a patina of past horrors, in an ancient middle European famous for its vampires and walking dead. Well, weird goings on would seem suitable in such places. It's true. But how about a well maintained highway in beautiful New Hampshire caught basking in the glory of the late afternoon sun.
I can't believe it. Can't believe what, Michael? Three weeks, Mary. Three long weeks of gypsy, three lovely weeks of going wherever we choose to go and staying as long as we like Going on whenever we like I just can't believe it Well, what we better start thinking about is a campsite for the night Now there's supposed to be a very good one at a place called Essex
[00:02:43] Unknown:
We don't supposedly pass it to you Well, check them out I have, I just can't seem to find it Oh, Michael, slow down, there's a sign coming up Yeah, yeah, yeah, I see it Colony, New Hampshire, population six thirty four Well, maybe we can stop and ask somebody here where Essex
[00:03:01] Unknown:
is. Okay.
[00:03:03] Unknown:
I'd like to get everything squared away before it gets dark. We will.
[00:03:07] Unknown:
Remember, we have the care in the world. Michael, go.
[00:03:14] Unknown:
Michael, go.
[00:03:18] Unknown:
What is that thing?
[00:03:19] Unknown:
I have no idea. I never saw anything like it before. What's some kind of an airship? It looked like it came right up out of the wall right in front of us. Yeah. I think it was behind that clump of trees at at at the turn right up there. I'm gonna get out and take a look. Oh, look. And look at what? The thing's gone wrong. Yeah. But I did I must have burned off some grass or something. Hey. Didn't you see the flames shooting out underneath it? Some kind of rockets, I guess. Come on. Just I'm just in back of these trees. No. I'm sure this is where it came from. Michael,
[00:03:52] Unknown:
do you think it was an unidentified flying object?
[00:03:56] Unknown:
Yeah. Well, I sure couldn't identify her. Hey, there.
[00:03:59] Unknown:
Look. The bronze burned to a crisp in that big circle. Has it been that big? No, I don't think so.
[00:04:07] Unknown:
Hey, if you ask me, there's been more than one of these landing and taking off here. Come on. Let's get back to the car, please. It's
[00:04:13] Unknown:
well, it's kinda scary.
[00:04:15] Unknown:
Yeah. Okay.
[00:04:17] Unknown:
But we ought to report this to somebody. Don't you think?
[00:04:20] Unknown:
Yeah. I don't know. Hey. Everybody who reports an unidentified flying object always gets treated like a crackpot. But nobody believes you wants to go to reporting it. They'll have to believe it. We saw it. Yeah. Yeah. And that's what they all say.
[00:04:34] Unknown:
Well, we can bring them back here and show them where the grass has burned off.
[00:04:38] Unknown:
Yeah. There is that.
[00:04:41] Unknown:
Michael, that was a real thing we saw. And we don't know where it came from or or what kind of a threat it may represent. Well, somebody ought to check it out. Yeah. I guess you're right.
[00:04:51] Unknown:
Okay. We'll report it when we get to, what was the name of that town?
[00:04:56] Unknown:
Colony. Colony, New Hampshire. Population, 634.
[00:05:08] Unknown:
And, that's where it was, sheriff Marcus. I mean, the thing nearly scared us to death. Wishing up out of nowhere right in front of us, shooting out flames and everything. What they always say, you know, about flying saucers is that they're just some kind of optical illusion. Well, this was not an optical illusion, sheriff. It was just as real as you are sitting there. Yeah. And we can take you back there and show you where the grass is all burned off. Well, we'll have a look later on. That's for sure. Later on? Right now, what I'd like is to have a talk with Annie Stebbins about this. Oh, who's Annie Stebbins? Mayor of Colony.
You don't hardly ever do anything without consulting Annie on it first. Where was you on your way to?
[00:05:51] Unknown:
Oh, well, we're just sort of jiggling around. You know? We're, on a camping trip.
[00:05:55] Unknown:
Thought we'd see as much of New England as we can in three weeks. Well, we did wanna get to a place called Essex before dark. They said there's a good campsite there, and, well, we just thought we'd like to set up camp before dark. Don't know if you'd be able to do that. Essex is about 60 miles on down the road. Oh, darn. It would have been nice to get there before dark. That's all. Tell you what.
[00:06:16] Unknown:
I'll take you on down to May Norton's place. Where's that? May's widow lady lives other into town, the old daily place. We haven't got a real honest to goodness restaurant in Carnet, but May sometimes gives folks on the way through their dinners, even puts them up for the night. Oh, well, I don't think we'd wanna stay for the night. Dinner doesn't sound like such a bad idea, though. You could have dinner while I'm having my talk with Annie Stebbins, then we can all go have a look at the place where your thingy took off. Ought to be able to make it there before dark.
They just don't like to make the move without I talk to Arnie first. I want to tell you, mister and miss Duncan, you're gonna get one of the finest meals you ever ate. This is not in the good cook, I think? Good. Never seen a reek will. I'll do that. Hello, May. You feel like cooking a big dinner for a couple of tired tourists tonight?
[00:07:16] Unknown:
Well, I reckon I could see my way clear too. Be the regular price. It's $4 a piece, which he always charges. Well, come in. Come in. You can make yourself comfortable there in the sitting room till I get things on the table.
[00:07:30] Unknown:
He may be a half hour or so. Just make yourselves right at home. I mean, he doesn't stand on ceremony. I just want to have a word with him and, I'll go have him talk with Arnie. How long do you think you'll be? Oh, ought to be back by the time you finish dinner shortly after.
[00:07:48] Unknown:
Something you wanna talk to me about, ma'am? You, wouldn't have cup of coffee, would you? Well, I got some I made a while back. I guess it's still fit to drink. Sure. It is. You didn't leave them in the sitting room just to get a cup of coffee, though, did you? Truth is, I've been wanting to talk to you, Mae. Well, go ahead and talk.
[00:08:08] Unknown:
Them folks you got out there in your sitting room, the Dunkin's, they come into my office saying they seen a flying saucer.
[00:08:16] Unknown:
Oh, happened again, did it?
[00:08:20] Unknown:
I have to go talk to Annie Stebbins, of course, and I don't want them getting restless before I get back.
[00:08:28] Unknown:
I'll give them a good big dinner and see they take their time eating it. They may get restless.
[00:08:39] Unknown:
Do you think there was anything odd about the way Sheriff Marcus took it when we told him about the unidentified flying object?
[00:08:46] Unknown:
No In fact, I thought he took it very well
[00:08:50] Unknown:
Yeah, I guess that's what I mean I mean, I I think he believes us
[00:08:54] Unknown:
Well, didn't you want him to?
[00:08:56] Unknown:
Yeah, but
[00:08:58] Unknown:
I didn't expect him to But he didn't even seem surprised Well, it's just too bad there aren't more people around like him We would have had the whole UFO mystery cleared up years ago
[00:09:07] Unknown:
Maybe It just seems so strange to me, that's all
[00:09:20] Unknown:
You sure you wouldn't like another piece of the blueberry pie, mister Duncan? Oh, I just wouldn't have any place to put it, missus Norton. Oh, I can't remember the last time anybody called me Mrs. Norton. You better just make it May. Well, if I can't get you to eat anything more, why don't we just take our coffee into the living room while we're waiting for Fed to get through to in the fat with Arnie?
[00:09:44] Unknown:
I'm kind of surprised it's taken him so long.
[00:09:47] Unknown:
Oh, things don't move very fast in colony, mister Duncan. A couple of old town people like Thad and Annie get to talk and make them go on half the night. And maybe you'd like some of my blackberry brandy? Oh, no, thank you. I don't think so No, I feel fine just the way I am So you seen a flying assassin, did you? We sure did. How did you know that? Oh, Phil had said something about it before he left. What was it you wanted to do about the flying saucer after you told him about it? Well, I don't know. I I just always thought you report a thing like that to an official. That's all. Yeah. Well, maybe Annie can think of something. No. I don't know what it'd be.
If you don't mind my saying so, you might have been smarter just to mind your own business. I think UFOs are everybody's business.
[00:10:44] Unknown:
Yeah. Why why why do you think we would have been smarter?
[00:10:48] Unknown:
Well, no reason, I guess except it usually is smarter than mine the person's own business And I still say that a UFO sighting is my business I think people shrug them off too easily They can't all be weather balloons or optical illusions Too many of the things have been seen Well, I never said you've seen a weather balloon Well, you did say we should have minded our own business Well, your own good was what I meant Yeah, how do you in what way for your own good? If I was you and wanted to finish my nice vacation like I planned, I'd just get up from here right now and get into my car and I'd drive right on ahead to wherever it was I wanted to get to in the first place. I wouldn't spend one more minute than I had to in the town of Colony.
[00:11:34] Unknown:
Why?
[00:11:36] Unknown:
Just advice. I said no explaining. Well, you can't just advise us to do something like that without giving us a reason. Sure. I can. I just did.
[00:11:48] Unknown:
It's the story they told me, Arnie. I figured there wasn't much question with what they seem to think. It's too bad. I figured I'd better come to you with it. Best for you to decide what has to be done. Oh, you done right. I'm just wondering if maybe it won't have to go a little higher than me before it's settled. Up to you to decide that, I guess. Well, one thing I can tell you right now, we've gotta keep those two in town. We can't let them leave Colony. Keep them how, Arnie? They're itching to get on their way right now. No way gonna talk them into staying. You're the sheriff, ain't you? Yep. Got a jail, ain't you? But I ain't. Well, you have to hold them, Pat. Hold them for what? Ain't no law against thinking you saw a flying saucer. You think of something.
They can't be allowed to leave Colony. Not a lad. They can't.
[00:12:45] Unknown:
A quiet drive along a peaceful New England road has led to a UFO sighting, and the UFO sighting has led to danger for two two innocent people. So much for the idea, if anyone had it, that you must go looking in the wilds of Transylvania for improbable and dangerous happenings. Start being careful right in your own home while waiting for me to return shortly with act two. There's been a great deal of speculation upon the nature and origin of unidentified flying objects. The speculation has led to a wealth of conjecture, but a remarkable dearth of answers. Many reasonable thinking men and women believe the UFOs to be very real, at least as many others believe them to be figments of mass imagination.
Our story doesn't pretend to offer an answer. It simply explores one of many possibilities.
[00:13:55] Unknown:
That's most likely the sheriff back from talking to the mayor. Now don't let on I said what I said to you. Advising us to run, you mean? It wouldn't do you two no good, and it most likely get me into a mess of trouble. Well, alright. If we won't say anything about it, will we, Mike? Oh, I suppose not. I don't know why. Alright. Alright. I'm coming. Keep your shirt
[00:14:18] Unknown:
on. Everything alright, Mae?
[00:14:20] Unknown:
Of course. Everything's alright. Come on in.
[00:14:23] Unknown:
Sorry to keep you two waiting around like this. And he made me go over your story about two, three times. He was right concerned about it.
[00:14:32] Unknown:
Are we going to have a a look at the place the thing took off from? Oh, well, yes. We'll do that. Of course.
[00:14:39] Unknown:
First though, we're all gonna meet in my office, town hall. Well, it's going to be dark if we don't stop fooling around. Little ladies are 100% right. We better be on our way. Mayor Stebbins. I want you to meet miss and miss Duncan. Two I told you about. A pleasure indeed.
[00:14:58] Unknown:
Glad to know you, ma'am. Don't you think we better get started? I I mean, Michael and I still have to find a place to spend the night. Oh, there's plenty of time, miss Duncan.
[00:15:07] Unknown:
I'm a man never did like to rush things headlong. Better to consider a thing from all angles first, don't you think? Now, where were you two driving from today?
[00:15:18] Unknown:
Well, we spent last night at a motel just outside Stamford. We plan to start our real, camping tonight.
[00:15:26] Unknown:
A place called Essex was where you wanted to get to? Yes. That's right. Well, now, where'd you stop for lunch today?
[00:15:34] Unknown:
What difference could that possibly make? We, stopped at a roadside restaurant. Didn't notice,
[00:15:40] Unknown:
what town it was near. Everything to drink at the roadside restaurant? Drink? Cup of coffee, I think. No alcoholic beverages?
[00:15:52] Unknown:
We don't drink, Mayor Stebbins.
[00:15:55] Unknown:
You didn't stop anywhere along the way in the afternoon and, have a drop? No. I told you we don't drink. Well, why all the questioning, mayor? We stopped at the Sheriff's Office to report the sighting of an unidentified flying object.
[00:16:07] Unknown:
Why are we being questioned? Well, I'll tell you how it is, mister Duncan. Thad and I take our responsibility to the town of Colony right serious. Yes. So? One of the things we will not tolerate is drunken driving.
[00:16:23] Unknown:
I I I couldn't agree with you more, sir. But, what has that got to do with us? Well, I'm the kind of man, mister Duncan, that likes to keep both feet on the ground.
[00:16:32] Unknown:
I believe half of what I see and very little of what I hear. So when it comes to sauces, I never seen one. Neither did we, sir, until this afternoon. And you're sure you saw one then? Yes, sir. Quite sure. Thad, remember the time Roy Beecher thought he saw a flying saucer? Drunk school he was the time. Spent the night in jail and had a good laugh on himself the next day for thinking he'd seen a flying saucer. I remember it well. Been my opinion ever since that anybody thinks he sees a flying saucer. He's been drinking too much.
[00:17:09] Unknown:
All there is to it. Flying saucer, too much booze. This is ridiculous. You're accusing us of drunken driving? I've got no choice. You claiming you saw a flying saucer, Lord. But I tell you we don't drink. We never drink. Don't you have some kind of a test? Blow it a balloon or something like that? Too late for that now.
[00:17:26] Unknown:
Might not have been when you first came in, but it is now. Hey. Besides, you've had one of May Norton's monstrous big suppers on top of whatever it was you had to drink this afternoon. So best you just,
[00:17:38] Unknown:
spend the night here with us. We can talk more about it in the morning.
[00:17:42] Unknown:
Spend the night here with you? We've got a right comfortable jail here. Right back there through that door. Are you suggesting that my wife and I spend the night in your jail?
[00:17:52] Unknown:
Not just suggesting it, Mr. Duncan. That's the way it's gonna be.
[00:17:58] Unknown:
Michael, he Michael got drunk.
[00:18:02] Unknown:
Sheriff Marcus, you are going to be very sorry you drew that gun. Maybe
[00:18:08] Unknown:
so. Meantime, you two just go on back through that door, and we'll get you tucked in for the night.
[00:18:26] Unknown:
Michael? Good morning. You awake?
[00:18:30] Unknown:
Yeah. I've been awake for quite a while. I thought I'd let you sleep as long as you couldn't Surprised I went to sleep at all Did you? Yes, not really so bad, you know We slept in motels that weren't any better
[00:18:44] Unknown:
Yeah, well, I'd rather sleep in a motel just the same
[00:18:48] Unknown:
Yeah It's, it's the indignity of being jailed for the night That's what makes it so bad And for drunken driving Oh, it wasn't for that, Mary Listen, I think we got put in jail because we saw a flying saucer I mean, I figure they're they're hooked up somehow to that UFO we saw
[00:19:06] Unknown:
Who? The mayor and the sheriff?
[00:19:08] Unknown:
Oh, how could they be? I don't know, but why else would they wanna lock us up? Well, then you think the drunken driving charge was was just an excuse? Oh, sure. Of course it was.
[00:19:20] Unknown:
Mister and missus Duncan? Yeah. Who is it? May Norton. I brought your breakfast.
[00:19:27] Unknown:
Oh, well, I'm a lot more interested in getting out of here than I am in breakfast.
[00:19:31] Unknown:
Wouldn't want you driving off on an empty stomach. What time does the sheriff get in in the morning? I don't know. Different times, I expect. I don't have a key to the cell there. I'll have to shove the trays in under the door. Hey. Some secured ham, fried eggs, home fried potatoes, hot biscuits, and honey. Hope you got a good appetite. Well, that's one thing we won't be able to complain about at least.
[00:19:55] Unknown:
The food? Well, I'll be bringing all your meals. I'll see to it you're fed real good. Yeah. Well, this is the last meal that you're gonna have to bother with because the sheriff has no excuse whatever for holding us any longer. He's gonna have to let us go this morning. Well,
[00:20:09] Unknown:
I wouldn't depend on it if I was you. Eat your breakfast before your eggs get cold.
[00:20:20] Unknown:
You busy, Annie? Oh, come in, Pat. Come in. You been in to check up on our guest this morning? Ain't been to my office yet. Don't go as I'll get down there for a while. Kind of embarrassing. You've decided yet what we're gonna do about them? I reckon so. I had to check it out first because I don't feel comfortable about it, honey. Any special reason? Well, this young couple, they're the kind of folks it's likely to have a whole slew of friends and relations fretting over them if they don't show up where they're expected. How long a vacation they on? Three weeks, I think. One of them said just starting to.
Just kind of meandering around, camping wherever they happen to be like it. That's the idea I got. No advance itinerary? You wouldn't think so. Well, then I I don't see we got anything to worry about. Sooner or later, their folks are gonna be out looking for them. Dad, we're gonna have to convert them. We're gonna have to take them over and keep them here. It's the only way.
[00:21:35] Unknown:
Lunchtime. Start you off with a nice plan, Joe. Where's the sheriff?
[00:21:41] Unknown:
I couldn't rightly say, mister Duncan. I did see him over at Harry's Diner around 10:30 or eleven. But where are you going now? We haven't seen a soul all morning. I mean, except for you, there's been nobody in here the whole day. Well,
[00:21:53] Unknown:
I reckon he must have had business somewhere. So the sheriff has got no right to keep us in jail and we wanna get out. I I have the right to make a phone call. Now I should have been allowed to make a phone call last night. Oh, it looks like I'm gonna have to tell you the whole story. What whole story? Here, just let me shove your lunch under the door here. You can eat while you're listening I don't want to eat anything Might as well Michael Well what story are you gonna tell us? Well it started a couple of years ago What started? Well that was when they first landed The flying saucers.
[00:22:32] Unknown:
You mean flying saucers have been sighted here before? Oh, my. Yes.
[00:22:37] Unknown:
I was sitting out in my front yard there shelling peas. I recollect like it was yesterday. They came swooping down out of the sky, like, to scare me out of my wits. Three of them there was in that first bunch. I'd know there'd been more than one landing in that place. Well, I see folks coming out of their houses looking toward where they'd landed. You know? So I put my pen of peas to one side and I started walking in that direction along with the rest of them. Well, it's a funny thing. What? What funny thing now? There's a spell there where everything was real mixed up and I don't remember very well.
[00:23:15] Unknown:
You don't remember what?
[00:23:17] Unknown:
Well, for one thing, what they looked like. Who? The folks, those things, whatever they was that got out of those flying sauces. I've talked to some of the others, and they can't remember that part either. Like it got erased or something. All I remember is just a kind of jumble until that evening, I guess it would be, that same evening. Why? What happened that evening? They had us all collected in a place that looked like one of them mad scientist's laboratories. Oh, like you see in Lowell movies, you know? They had the whole town in there. Every soul of us.
I found out later it was down in the basement of the town hall there. They'd rigged the old cellar down there for a laboratory. Still using it there. Still?
[00:24:06] Unknown:
You mean,
[00:24:07] Unknown:
they're still around? Wait till I tell you. Thad Marcus and Arnie Stebbins were already running things. They've been converted before we woke up or or we come to or whatever it was we did. Converted? That's what they called it. They was leading us one at a time up to a thing looked like a dentist chair. And they'd make us sit in it and put a thing kind of like a hairdryer over our heads. And then they'd flip a lot of switches, Thad Marcus and Annie Stebbins, just like they knew what they were doing. And then whoever was in the chair would kind of shiver and slump down for a minute until Thad and Annie threw some more switches.
Then they'd take that one back to his seat and lead up the next one. Well, what were they doing to the people in the chair? Converting.
[00:24:59] Unknown:
You mean by, converting?
[00:25:01] Unknown:
Well, you will when I come to that part. They put me in the dentist chair and put their hairdryer thing over my head and started flipping their switches. I got a funny feeling. I'll never forget it. Like my head was being all separated into little bitty pieces and put back together in a different way. Something like that. Well, I passed out for a minute. When I come to, they would lead me back to my feet with the others. Only it wasn't me.
[00:25:30] Unknown:
It wasn't you. I was
[00:25:32] Unknown:
it seemed like I was occupying just a little corner of my head while somebody or something else was using the rest of it. Well I don't understand why I didn't either at first but I did later on. One of the things out of the flying saucers had taken me over. I was still in there the real me but I had nothing to do with what my body thought or said or did. I've been possessed. But what about what about the rest of them all just like me took over every last one of them. And are they still controlled? Still are every last soul in this town.
[00:26:15] Unknown:
I had to, get free.
[00:26:18] Unknown:
Stubborn. That's all. I just wouldn't give into all that electrical mumbo jumbo. Kept on resisting and fighting till I got the upper hand. How could you do that when, the others couldn't? I've been thinking about that a lot and I think I got it figured out. My great or my great great grandmother, something like that, was burned for a witch when they had the trouble over in Salem. Maybe I inherited something from her. So what are you saying that you're a witch? Oh, man, no. I don't believe in that kind of nonsense. No, what I'm saying is all them women that got accused of being witches all they was was just stubborn women.
I mean stubborn way past ordinary. So stubborn they just would have their own way and nothing else would do. And that's what you think you inherited from your great great grandmother, her stubbornness. Well, I got it. No question about that. Come to some alien taking over my mind I was just too pig headed to let him have it that's all.
[00:27:19] Unknown:
But what about the others?
[00:27:21] Unknown:
Let me know all the rest of the people who who've been taken over. Well it's my opinion that if they had just stood up and refused to give in to the aliens, they'd all be free right now. What happened to the alien who who tried to take possession of you? I just threw her out. Last I've heard of her. I don't know what became of her. Evaporated, I wouldn't be surprised. Mhmm.
[00:27:43] Unknown:
Well, that's, quite a story.
[00:27:46] Unknown:
It's more than story as you'll find out. What do you mean is we'll find out? Don't you see? They'll have to convert you. What else can they do now that you know about the flying saucers? This time tomorrow unless you can figure some way out of it you will be one of them.
[00:28:16] Unknown:
What could be more terrifying than the prospect of having your mind and body taken over by an alien being, then being left with nothing of your true self but a small impotent corner of awareness. To be forced to watch helplessly as your own body performed deeds you found unspeakable. This is what may confront Michael and Mary Duncan when I return shortly with act three. If we're to believe May Norton's story, the bodies and minds of all the citizens of Colony, New Hampshire have been taken over and are controlled by alien beings who come and go in space ships, like the one Michael and Mary Duncan saw on their way into the village. Michael and Mary are being held incommunicado in the Colony Jail and are, again, according to May Norton, slated to be taken over themselves
[00:29:17] Unknown:
by the aliens.
[00:29:18] Unknown:
They can't do it, can they, Michael? I don't know. Take control of our mind? Do you really believe that all the people in this whole town are being controlled by by beings from another galaxy or something?
[00:29:30] Unknown:
It sounds pretty outlandish, I grant you. But look there's something fishy going on here. It's got something to do with that UFO we saw. What are we gonna do Michael? I don't know. I'm trying to think of something.
[00:29:48] Unknown:
You, made up your mind, Annie, about them, have you? Yeah. Been in touch with the folks up on the mother ship about it? I had a long talk with them earlier this morning. They agree with us that there ain't nothing we can do but take over the Dunkin'. I just wish I could feel more comfortable about it. What exactly was decided? The ship's sending down the two new colonists around eight to nine. I figure we can have a takeover down in the lab around 08:30. Sound alright to you? Sounds fine. Sooner I get them too out of my jail, the better I like it.
Wait till you figure on putting them up. Well, I thought about letting them have a couple of rooms of Minotence. She's just rattling around that big old house all by herself. All that extra space has gone to waste. Good idea. Wouldn't hurt to have somebody keep an eye on Mae anyway. She's still making trouble, is she? Kind of halfway subversive talk. Nothing anybody can put a finger on. Mhmm. Now I'll schedule the takeover for half past eight tonight. We'll have everybody in to witness it as usual. Call down. Every man jack them. Want me to let them all know? I guess you better. Yes. Tell them, 08:30 sharp.
We don't wanna waste waste time
[00:31:09] Unknown:
waiting for anybody.
[00:31:16] Unknown:
Howdy, Mae.
[00:31:17] Unknown:
I've been looking for you all day, sir. Where have you been? Oh, here and there.
[00:31:23] Unknown:
What do you wanna see me about?
[00:31:25] Unknown:
Well, that young Duncan boy you've gone over there in jail, he asked me to tell you he wants to see you. Said you hadn't been in all morning. No. Well, he's bucked in to talk to you. I had other business round and about. You've been keeping a fed good ain't you? Yes. And that was something else I wanted to talk to you about. It don't seem right shoving that tray into them under the door. Ain't no way to serve a meal. Why don't you let me have a key to their cell so as I can bring the trains in and serve them right? I,
[00:31:54] Unknown:
I don't think so, Mae. Rather not take a chance them jumping into something. Main reason I stopped around is meeting tonight, Basement Of Town Hall, half past 08:00.
[00:32:08] Unknown:
Down in that laboratory place? That's right. I guess that means you're planning to take over the Dunkin' Stoney.
[00:32:15] Unknown:
You just get to the meeting on time, Mae. That's all you got to worry about.
[00:32:26] Unknown:
Marco, what are you doing?
[00:32:28] Unknown:
I'm just checking to see if there's a loose bar anywhere. I wanna get out of this place. Oh, escape. I mean, that's a little melodramatic, isn't it? Well, damn it. We could rot here, Mary. I mean, with May bringing us our meals, there's no reason why the sheriff would ever have to come around.
[00:32:42] Unknown:
No. No. In view of what May told us, I just assume he didn't. What do you mean about aliens taking possession of us?
[00:32:49] Unknown:
Yeah. Yeah. I've been thinking about that.
[00:32:52] Unknown:
Do you believe it?
[00:32:54] Unknown:
Well, I mean, we we we saw a flying saucer or whatever you wanna call it. I mean, we're being held in jail here for nothing.
[00:33:01] Unknown:
Are the aliens any harder to believe? Yoo hoo. See you again. May. Supper time. Hot roast and mashed potatoes tonight.
[00:33:11] Unknown:
Have you seen anything of Sheriff Marcus? Dad?
[00:33:14] Unknown:
Sure. I saw him. Told him you wanted to talk to him but I don't think it done any good. No. No. No. He hasn't been around. I'll just shove his trays under the door here. You better eat up right away. I tried to get the keys to the jail from Thad but he wouldn't give them to me. Said I'd like to have them so I could serve you dinner proper. Were you gonna let us out? Well, of course. What else would I want the keys for? It's very good of you, Mae. Well, you would have had to take me away with you. I couldn't have stayed on after turning you loose. Yeah. I've been wondering about that, Mae.
[00:33:49] Unknown:
Why haven't you run away?
[00:33:51] Unknown:
I mean, you're not possessed by these aliens. There's nothing holding you here. I don't know. I've always lived here all my life. Well, that's one thing. And then for another, I keep figuring sooner or later I'll get the chance to do some good. I mean, help set the others free or maybe keep them from taking over somebody like you. I don't know. I just stayed around.
[00:34:17] Unknown:
Is there any way you can,
[00:34:19] Unknown:
keep them from taking us over, Mae? No way I can think of. I've been wracking my brains, and I've got some bad news, I'm afraid.
[00:34:28] Unknown:
Oh, what bad news?
[00:34:30] Unknown:
They're planning on doing it tonight. Tonight, 08:30 sharp. They've been eating in the basement under the town hall. That's where they got that laboratory place I told you about. A meeting? Yep. They all turn out the whole town whenever there's a takeover.
[00:34:49] Unknown:
What what what are they what do they look like? I mean, these creatures, you know the creatures from outer space. Well, some like us I mean two arms two legs all that
[00:34:59] Unknown:
a face with two eyes a nose a mouth only just not quite exactly in the right places you know what I mean? And Hare more like one duck down than Hare. Oh, we don't see much of them. They don't show up except when they absolutely have to. You'll see a couple of them tonight. We will. Yeah. The two they send down to take you over. Oh. Alright. Now look. There there's gotta be some way to stop them. There must be. I wish I could think of what it is.
[00:35:40] Unknown:
What time is it, Mary? I'll let my watch run down. Ten after eight. Michael, they'll be coming for us. Alright. Now look, when they come, I imagine it'll be the sheriff. Don't don't make a fuss of any kind, you know? Don't try to hold back or anything like that Why not? Well, I want the sheriff to be as, favorably disposed toward us as possible I'm gonna ask him to let me make a little speech before the changeover
[00:36:04] Unknown:
What kind of a speech, Michael?
[00:36:06] Unknown:
Well, I think it's just as well you don't know in advance, Mary.
[00:36:09] Unknown:
Have you thought of a way to keep us from being taken over?
[00:36:14] Unknown:
Well, maybe.
[00:36:22] Unknown:
You two can take your places on the podium there to the left of the mayor. He'll be sitting just to your left. Why do we have to be on stage? You'll find out all in good time.
[00:36:34] Unknown:
Michael. Yes. Michael, look at those who's tending to the back of the stage to find the mayor. The alien. They're really not human, are they? No. Oh, Michael. I don't want one of those things inside my mind. No.
[00:36:50] Unknown:
Alright. Let's come to order here.
[00:36:54] Unknown:
Sheriff Marcus. Have these two been informed of the nature of tonight's proceedings? Not yet, Mayor. Please so inform them. Michael Duncan, Mary Duncan, you are hereby served notice that you will this night have the honor of contributing your bodies and the remainder of your lives to the advancement of the great new civilization which is about to be realized upon your earth.
[00:37:22] Unknown:
How can you do a thing like that?
[00:37:25] Unknown:
You've already been told all you need to know.
[00:37:28] Unknown:
I see. Listen to me. You who are enslaved in your own minds and bodies, hear me and think. Think as yourselves. You can do it if you try. One of your number has done it. There is one of you who has been secretly free the whole time. Me? I'm free. We may not know the one. Alright. Alright. That'll be enough. You, Mayor Stebbins, I wanna talk to you. Not to the arrogant creature who has assumed command of your body, Arnie Stebbins, but you. The Arnie Stebbins who was once the mayor of this town. The Stebbins who can hear me but cannot act. I'm speaking to you Arnie Stebbins. You can act if you will it strongly enough.
But you were once a strong man, a leader. That strength is all it takes to set you free. Use it. Resist. Think yourself your own man, and you will be your own man. Make him stop. No, Thad doesn't want me to stop. Not the real Thad. He's like you, Arnie Stebbins and all the rest of you. He wants to be free also.
[00:38:35] Unknown:
Pry, Arnie. Pry. No. No. No. Make him stop. You don't do it Arnie. You can't.
[00:38:42] Unknown:
No. No.
[00:38:45] Unknown:
Arnie's Stebbins has won. Arnie Stebbins is free. And what he has done, you can all do. Try. Be stronger than they are. Try. Duncan, help me. Them sad Marcus. Really sad Marcus. I I I want to help. Yes. You'll get out. You all will. You're all going to be free.
[00:39:16] Unknown:
It ain't quite twenty four hours yet, Mr. Duncan. And more than half of them is free already. And then that eight are harboring some mighty sick aliens. You think they'll all be able to free themselves? Every last one of them. No doubt in my mind, whatever. Where? I mean, I I just wondered what happens to the aliens when they're cast out. I don't know. They're out. That's all I care about. We'll be all right here, Mr. Duncan. You two can go ahead with your trip now. Yeah. You don't think we ought to, stay until they're all free? I don't think there's any need for it. We're all right now or soon will be all of us. The only thing that worries me what there's still something there?
I can't help wondering how many other towns they've got the way they had Colony.
[00:40:08] Unknown:
How many towns the size of Colony, New Hampshire do you suppose there are in this huge country of ours? And what do you do if you see an unidentified flying object taking off near one of them? Stop at the sheriff's office and report it, or drive straight on through the town as if somebody or something were after you? I'll be back in a few minutes. Colony is just another small New England town these days. The people go about their commonplace affairs as though nothing more melodramatic than a Sunday school picnic had ever happened there. But they remember.
Arnie Stebbins never meets with the town council without wondering if they are all truly themselves. And Tad Marcus making his rounds in the sheriff's official car keeps a weather eye out for unidentified flying objects. Our cast included Tony Roberts, Morgan Fairchild, Frances Sternhagen Jackson Beck, and Guy Sorrell. The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. Radio Mystery Theater was sponsored in part by Buick Motor Division and the sign off, the sinus medicine. This is E. G. Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater for another adventure in the macabre.
Until next time, pleasant Night's WR Mystery Theater was also brought to you in part by ShopRite Supermarkets where you get a lot more for a little less. The preceding program is furnished by CBS radio.
[00:42:25] Unknown:
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