X Minus One - Time And Time Again

0:00In just a moment X minus one, but first when you hear the hearty laugh and familiar voice of the great guilders sleep tomorrow night, you know you're in for some hilarious adventures. Because whenever guilty is around, somehow things never seem to go as planned. It might be his impulsive nature, or maybe it's his incurable weakness for the fairest sex, but whatever it is, the great guilders sleep is bound to keep you laughing for a full 25 minutes. Tune in tomorrow night and meet Judge Hooker, Nephul Arroy. Housekeeper Birdie and all the rest of the friendly people from Summerfield as they join the great guilders sleep. House stay tuned for X minus one on NBC. Countdown for blast off. X minus five, four, three, two, X minus one, fire. From the far horizons of the unknown come transcribed tales of new dimensions in time and space.

1:22These 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 minus minus one one one one. Tonight's story. Time and time again by H. Beam Piper. It happened during a routine skirmish in the Great War. The trolls advanced from the defense perimeter under jet cover and proceeded by a napalm thrower. The enemy defended in depth and mocked up with guided 98s fired from 40 miles to the rear. The blast area was 10 miles in circumference and the medics didn't find much to pick up over 500 yards in. All right, I'll back it in here.

2:26Look out, it's lousy with mud. More, more. Now cut left. More, hold it. Stretch it. Come on, Trevor's. Get those men out. Get them over. Line them up. Easy, easy. You want to kill them? Oh, okay, take it away. Come on, I left those jokes where they was. Half a more last of the plankons. As long as they're alive, they'll be treated. Get those tags out, Trevor. Start taking names. Yes, sir. This one must have been a thousand yards in. Get his dog tag off. What a mess. Here. Hartley, Alan, Captain G5, Camry, Surge A and 73D. Number S-O-23869-403-J. Hartley? Alan Hartley. Oh. That must be the Hartley that wrote, uh, children of the mist and conquer's road. Never heard of. Major.

3:26Major, I think maybe he's partly conscious. Had I better give him another shot? Go ahead, Sergeant. There's much else we can do for him. So rotten shame. Yeah, and it always. Okay, Captain, let me have that arm. Ah. Oh. Oh. Oh. Alan. Alan. Oh, yeah. Oh. Oh. Alan. Alan. Oh, yeah. Oh. Oh. Oh. Alan. Alan. Alan. Oh, yeah. Oh. Oh. Alan. Alan. Oh. Get up, Alan. Can't stay in bed all day. I remember that. Clear as if it were real. Up and at him. Hit the deck. Markably vivid. Strange. Alan, are you all right? I'm all right. What's wrong with my voice? Ah. Ah. It's too high.

4:30What are you doing? Practice him singing? My voice has changed. Is that all? You're growing up. Happy birthday. Happy birthday. Hey, wake up, son. Wake up. I don't know. Wake it. It's impossible. I am awake. Oh, the way you slept through that alarm, I'd say it was impossible. Come on out of bed. I don't understand. It went a better addition now. You could wake up the next morning. Come on, son. Breakfast waiting. Out of bed, I'll turn it over. All right, all right. It's a dream. Maybe. But you're wide awake now. I am. I'm awake. Well, half awake anyway. That's the bell at St. Boniface, isn't it? What day is it? Are you kidding? You forget today's your birthday? No, not. No, I didn't forget. Neither did I. Here, son. Happy 13th birthday. You won't guess what's in here. A rifle. A light 22 rifle. Oh, and how did you know that?

5:32I remembered. Did I spill the beans sometime? No. I could have sworn it would be a surprise. Well, go on. Open it. You like it? Yeah. Yeah, that's perfect, Dad. Well, I'll have to lay down rules about using it. And I'll have to teach you how to operate it. I don't believe in letting a boy handle a gun until he really knows how. If I let you play with that thing before I teach you about guns, you'd blow your head off. I suppose so. I'll be shaving Alan, come down to breakfast when you're ready. Well, it's a big day today. You're almost a man. Almost. Hey, you're still groggy. Snap out of it, Alan. I will. It's a dream and it's somewhere, but I'm not sure which. What? Not, never mind, Dad. I'll be right down for breakfast. What you're going to do today, son? Why do you want to do some reading this morning?

6:33Oh, that's always a good thing to do. After breakfast, suppose you take a walk down to the station and get me a times. Didn't it come? Well, at the times. Well, they don't deliver. You're a good idea, though. Maybe I'll talk to Sam Ashman about it. Here's a half dollar, Alan. Get anything you want for yourself out of the change. Thanks, Dad. Finish your milk before you go. Sure, Dad. Thanks for the money. You're big enough to handle it now. I'll be back. I'd like to finish the crossword puzzle before lunch. You're Alan one times. Tell your father the puzzle puzzle. You're the one who's going to be the best. I'm going to be the best. I'm going to be the best. I'm going to be the best. I'm going to be the best. I'm going to be the best. I'm going to be the best. Tell your father the puzzle to stink of this week. Yeah, thanks, Mr. Ashburn. Look out for the trucks when you cross the highway. I'll go across Elton's lot. It's a shortcut. Elton's? You'll have a hard time crossing the air, son. There's four buildings on that block. I thought they burned down.

7:33I've seen him this morning, big as life. I guess that didn't happen yet. What'd you say? Nothing, Mr. Ashburn. I was just muttering. My days youngsters talked up. Yes, sir. Bye, Mr. Ashburn. Monday, August 6, 1945. Okinawa 1, bombing Japan. Hey, hey, Alan. Alan, wait up. Hey, Larry Morton. Hi, Larry. Hi, Alan. You going to Sunday school? No, I have some things I want to do at home. Oh, get him. Fancy pants, Tuck. Things I want to do at home. Go chase yourself around the block. Go jump in a garbage can. Go take a fly and jet to the moon. Hey, that's a new one. Flying jet to the moon. You thought up a new one, huh? Yeah. I wish I could stay home from Sunday school when I want to do. How about us going swimming at the canoe club after?

8:34I wish I could. I got to stay home. We're expecting a company. A couple of ants a month. Dad wants me to stay home when they come. Answer a pain. Nothing I can do. You see the football movie at the grand? Boy, what a team. Notre Dame. I thought you'd like Cornell. Cornell. They couldn't beat Vassar. Well, you're going to go to Cornell, aren't you? Me, Cornell. Fat chance. I'll bet you do. I wouldn't take your money. Well, I know you wouldn't, but you'll go to Cornell, alright. Cornell, far above, are you guys waters? There's an awful smell. Just the same. You'll all go to Cornell. I know, yeah, I gotta go. I'll see you. I'll see you. See you. I'm stuck in this corner. Don't let a word. I'm mixing the portion. Tight, right? Tight.

9:34T-I? It fits. How did you know that, Alan? That? I read it somewhere, I guess. Oh. What's your reading now? Tarsen again? No, not Tarsen. It's refreshing to see you with a book. Sometimes I think I ought to have a bit comic books in the house. Hmm. Yeah, I must be raising the devil with those bombing raids in Japan. How long do you think the war in Japan will last, Dad? Oh. Hmm. I'd say the middle of 1946. Then I have to invade those islands, foot by foot. I don't think so, Dad. I wouldn't be surprised if the war was over very suddenly. How, by magic? There's nothing on Earth will make those Japanese surrender. You expect somebody to make a pass and it'll be all over by the Saturday noon? Something like that. Hmm. I wish it could. A lot of boys didn't invade in Japan. Mr. Hardley, excuse me, please. Oh, hello, Mr. Gutschle. That's Frank Gutschle, Dad.

10:34That's right. Excuse me. I didn't mean to disturb you, Mr. Hardley. It's all right. Lovely day, isn't it, Mr. Gutschle? And Mr. Hardley, the Lord's Day is always beautiful. Of course, Mr. Gutschle. Mr. Hardley, I... I wonder if you could lend me a gun and some bullets. My little dog's been hurt and it's been suffering something terrible. Oh, it's too bad. I want a gun to put the poor thing out. Of course. Now, how would a 20-gauge shotgun do? You wouldn't want anything heavy. I was hoping you'd let me have a little gun. Maybe you're so big. Pistol? So I could put it in my pocket. It wouldn't look right to carry a hunting gun on the Lord's Day. And people wouldn't understand that it was for a work of mercy. Of course, I understand. You're a very religious man. The whole world is evil, Mr. Hardley. Sometimes it certainly looks like it. Well, I have a coat 38 special from the auxiliary police outfit. Well, that's fine.

11:34Now, you've got to bring it right back, Mr. Gutschle. I might be called out. Now, you'll have to promise to get it right back. Dad, wait a minute. I just remembered it. Oh, remember it. Well, aren't there some cartridges left for the Luger? Then you wouldn't be without the coat. That's right. I've got a German automatic. I could let you have that way. I wouldn't get stuck. You'd have to return it promptly, though. Oh, wait, Dad. I'll get it. Oh, wait, Dad. I'll get it. I know where the cartridge is. Take care, son. Well, Mr. Gutschle, the short train out. Now, I say it's all that way. Hello, police headquarters. This is Blake Hardley. Frank Gutschle lives on Campbell Street. It's just borrowed a gun from me. Stensively to shoot a dog. What? No, he has no doggy in ten shooting his wife. Now listen, he'll walk home. If you're hurry, you can get a man there on time. What? No, but I wish you'd get my pistol back to me. It's in the first world war.

12:34All right, all right. Then you'll take care of it. Goodbye. There you are. What kept you, Alan? I couldn't find the cartridges at first. I'll show Mr. Gutschle out, works it. It's all loaded ready to shoot. This is the safety. Just push it forward and up. There are eight shots in it. Did you load the chamber, Alan? Sure. It's on safe now. You want to stand out, works, Mr. Gutschle? Oh, yes. Yes, I understand. Thank you, Mr. Hardley. Thank you, sonny. Goodbye. Goodbye, Mr. Gutschle. I'll return the gun when you're done. Yes, I'll be done with it soon. Goodbye. Alan, you should have loaded that gun. I guess it's all over now. I had to keep you from falling with it. I didn't want you to see. I took out the firing pin. You hot? Gutschle didn't want that gun to shoot a dog. He's a fanatic. He sees visions. Here's voices.

13:34The voices probably put him up to this. I'll submit that any man who holds intimate conversations with disembodied spirits isn't to be trusted with a gun. What are you talking about? Well, I was at it. I call the police upstairs. I put a handkerchief over my mouth and told him I was you. You? Why did you have to do that? I couldn't have told him. This is Little Alan Hardley, 13 years old. And suppose he really wants to shoot a dog. What kind of a mess will I be in then? No mess. If I'm wrong, which I'm not, I'll take the rap for it. Dumb kid, you know. But if I'm right, you'll have to front for me. You give me a lot of cheap boy hero publicity, which I don't want. This is crazy, Alan. This is absolutely crazy. Maybe. We'll have the complete returns in 20 minutes. Mr. Hardley? Mr. Blake Hardley? That's right. I'm Detective Sergeant Kabooski from homicide. Here's your looser. Thank you.

14:34I don't know how you spotted that guy, but... When we busted in, he was pointing that gun at his wife and swearing a blue streak because it wouldn't go off. I'm... I'm glad I was able to help. You know, they may even have some kind of a citation for you, Mr. Hardley. I don't think that's necessary. In the department, we figure a little publicity never hurt nobody. Even a lawyer? I really would prefer to go kept quiet. Well, whatever you say. We'll want you to drop around in the morning for a statement. I look glad to. Well, goodbye. Goodbye, Sonny. Goodbye, Sergeant. Why don't you take the citation, Dad? Well, you're all right. You save that woman's life. Now, let's see you put back the firing pin. Sure. All right, Alan. Suppose we have a little talk.

15:35But I explained everything. You did not. Yesterday you wouldn't even have known how to take this pistol apart. Today you've been using language and expressing ideas that are outside of everything you've ever known before. Now, I want to know... I hope you're not tying with the medieval notion of obsession. Why? Well, you say I'm changed. When did you first notice this? Well, last night you were still my little boy. This morning, I don't know. You've been strange all day. There's been something. Alan, what's happened to you? I wish I could be sure myself, Dad. You see, when I woke this morning, I hadn't the least recollection of anything I'd done yesterday, August 4th, 1945. Oh, that's serious. You're on a house, serious. My last memory was lying on a stretcher injured by a bomb explosion. I was 43 years old and the year was 1975. 1975? That's right. You'll be 43 in 1975, but a bomb. Yes. During the siege of Buffalo in the Third World War.

16:36I was a captain in G5, scientific warfare, general staff. Buffalo, you mean Buffalo, New York? They'd been a transpolar invasion of Canada. I was sent to the front to check on service values of a new lubricating oil. When we kept where I got there, Ottawa fell and the retreat started. We met a standard Buffalo and that was where I got it. I remember being picked up and getting an iconic injection. The next thing I knew I was in bed upstairs and it was 1945 again. And I was back in my own 13-year-old body. Alan, you just had a nightmare to end all nightmares. I thought it might be that at first, but I rejected it. It won't fit the facts. It's ridiculous. All this battle of Buffalo stuff, you picked up something listening to the radio. All the commentators have been going on about another war after this one. You've just got a nun digested hunk of HV Kalenborn. You're subconscious, that's all. Okay, that isn't everything. I remember four years of high school, four years at Cornell, seven years as a reporter on the Philadelphia record. Three novels, children of the mist, rose of death, conquerors, road.

17:37You think a 13-year-old can dream up all that stuff? But it's the only possible of exploration. Maybe. But I can speak five languages today that I couldn't yesterday. French, German, Chinese, Russian and a little Spanish. Although I've got a Mexican accent, you could cut with a knife. But how did it happen? Alan, I can't believe it. All I know is here I am. I've been reading up on time theories. Nobody seems to know much about them. Evidently, time exists parallel as another dimension, and I got kicked backwards along it. But how? Maybe in the radiations from the bomb or the narcotic injection, or both together. But the fact remains I'm here with full knowledge of my future identity. This... This is quite a shock, Alan. But you do believe me, don't you? Yes, I suppose I must. You seem so strange as if you weren't my son. I'm your son, alright? The same body as yesterday.

18:38I've just had an educational shortcut. Wait a minute. If you can remember the next 30 years, suppose you tell me when the war's going to end. This one against the Japs, I mean. Oh, sure. Well, the Japanese surrender will be announced at exactly 7.01 pm on August 14th. That's a week from Tuesday. Hey, better make sure we're plenty of grub in the house by then. Everything will be closed up title Thursday morning, even the restaurants. Now remember, we had nothing to eat in the house but some scraps. A week from Tuesday. Well, that's pretty sudden, isn't it? Not after today. What do you mean? What happened today? Plenty. What time is it, Dan? Hmm. That's 11.16. Sure, watch right? Watch it the seconds, why? I'll come at exactly 11.17.40. What'll come? The radio announcement. What are you getting at? Something important on the radio? Well, we'll see. Well, don't bother, Dad. I won't work. I remember we had a two-brand out. Well, there is something wrong. When is this announcement of yours? No, I remember.

19:38But I memorized it in journalism school in 1954. What time is it? 11.18 o'clock. Breaking into the program now. President Truman has just announced that an atomic bomb has been dropped on the Japanese industrial city of Hiroshima. The bomb was dropped 16 hours ago and the announcement was delayed to ascertain the results of the explosion. A man named John Howard Peterson read that announcement from the Washington Newsroom with NBC. I don't believe it. No, listen. But... Hmm. That's the Burke-Plat faculty, Whistler. And the bells of St. Boniface. Now, next to Whistler, at the Volunteer Firehouse. You're lucky. That it's true. It's true. Sure. Then Larry Morton came by on his bicycle. Hey, hey, ow! How you hear? You hear about the bomb? The atomic bomb? Yeah, we heard. Whoa, I had atomic bomb. Oh, boy. I gotta go find my poppies on the golf course. Bye, ow!

20:38Bye, Mr. Hartley. You knew. You knew about it. The next bomb hit Snagasaki. I thought that stuff about atomic energy was so much fantasy. Was... Was that the kind of bomb that got you? Oh, that was a firecracker to the one that got me. There was a guy that 98, exploded 10 miles away. And that's going to happen in 30 years? I remember it. How about... Well, uh... How about me? Oh, wait, wait. Never mind. I don't think I'd better know when I'm going to die. I couldn't tell you anyway. I had a letter from you just before I left for the front. You were 78 then, and you were still hunting and fishing and flying your own plane. But another war... In Fort on American soil. Oh, Ellen, I wish this hadn't happened to you. It happened. I remembered. But if I can help it, I'm not going to get killed in any battle of Buffalo. But if you remember it, if time exists as a parallel dimension,

21:38then every chick we're getting closer to that third world war. Dad, you know what I remembered when Gutshell came to borrow that gun? Well, I suppose that you suspected him and warned me. No, no, no. That wasn't it. The other time, the first time when I was really 13, I wasn't home. I'd been swimming at the canoe club with Larry Morton. When I got home about a half an hour from now, I found the house full of cops. But if the gun didn't fire... What makes you think it didn't? Gutshell talked the 38 out of you. He went home, shot his wife four times in the body, once behind the ear and used the six shot to blow his own brains out. That's what you remember? Yes. The cops traced the gun. They took a very poor view of your lending it to him. You never got it back. But here it is. Not the way I remembered. But I didn't want you in trouble, so I warned you. Dad, I found out the future can be changed. One man can't change the whole future. I stopped a murder on a suicide... I know, but... With 30 years to work, I can stop a world war. All of the means, too.

22:38The means? Unlimited wealth and influence. I've got a good memory, Dad. I want to list out this afternoon. Salt, jet pilot, citation, ponder, middle ground. What is this, a coat? Horses. That's a list of Kentucky Derby winners from 1946 to 1970. Sure. I learned that list on a better the office's club in Cincinnati in 1971. A salt paid eight to one. You'll figure out what we can take in. But gambling? Oh, this isn't gambling. It's a sure thing. When we get rolling, we'll make the Rockefellers look like tigers. Hmm. The salt and eight to one. I suppose I could scrape up $5,000. In 10 years, that'll make a lot of money. Any other little thing you have in mind, Ellen? By 1952, we start building a political organization here in Pennsylvania. In 1960, I think we can elect you, president. President? Is that going a little too far? Why not?

23:38Who wouldn't vote for a politician who was always right? Besides, that's the one thing we've got to change. In 1960, we had a man in the White House who was good to his wife and sang a nice tenor, and that's about all. He followed up so completely, we ended up at war. I think president Hardley might be a little more trusted to take a strong line. But I don't know anything about international decisions. I do. I know all the wrong ones. If we can stop one murder, we can stop a war. It's worth a try, isn't it? I guess so. How do I start? I remember just after the bomb announcement. You got a phone call from the city fusion party about the next election. There's a lot of talk about it, reformed. What call is going to be important, Dad? It's the turning point. No, you've got to know. There it is. What do I do? Well, answer. Go ahead. But don't worry. I'll tell you what to do. Go ahead. Hello. Yes, this is Blake Hardley.

24:39Judge Cribbins. Yes. Just a moment. Alan, he's asking me to run. Oh, I hit. Alan. Oh. Alan, what's the matter? Alan. He passed out. Alan, what do I do now? Alan, listen to me. Alan. Alan, what's the matter? Captain. Captain Hardley. Captain Hardley. He was all right, Doctor. I gave him the shot and he was all right. Well, he's dead. All right, Sergeant. Make out the tag. Hardley, Alan. Captain. Dead April 8, 1975. Alan. Alan. Alan, what happened? Alan. Alan. Alan. Alan. Alan. Alan. Alan, are you all right? Oh. I did.

25:39I've got Judge Cribbins on the phone. What do I tell him? What do I tell him? What do I tell him? What do I tell him? Alan. Alan. Alan, what happened? Alan. Alan. Alan. Alan. Alan. What? Alan. Are you all right? You passed out. Sure. All right. Hey, today's my birthday, isn't it? What'd you give my birthday, huh? Don't you remember? The Third World War? What Third World War? She's dead. What's the matter? You're looking at me funny. You don't remember. You're back again, aren't you? Back to 13 years old. Sure. I'm 13 today for cornstarch dead. You must have died up there. It was only a mind transfer. That means I'm on my own. I have to do it myself without your help. Help for what?

26:40If it's a grass, I said I could it tomorrow. No, no, it's not the grass. I've got to save your life, Alan. I can't let you die that way in 1975. You're talking about, Dad? You sound goofy. I've got to change it all by myself. You change what? Never mind, Alan. You don't know yet. Come on. Let's have lunch. Sure, Dad. How about my present now? What'd you give me for my birthday? In a minute, son. Go on in. Okay. Well, hurry up, Dad. Sure. All right. Hmm. Now, where did I put that list of horses? 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 time and time again, written by H. Beam Piper and adapted for radio by Ernest Canoy.

27:44Featured in the cast were Jack Grimes, Peter Fernandez, Joe DeSantis, Joseph Bell, Clark Gordon, Herm Dinkin, Dick Hamilton, and James Dukas. Your announcer, Fred Collins. X-1 was directed by Daniel Sutter and is an NBC radio network production.