UDSKRIFT 🔗
WEBVTT
1
00:00:01.229 --> 00:00:05.429
And now, a tale well calculated to keep you in.
2
00:00:07.860 --> 00:00:11.820
Suspense.
3
00:00:12.140 --> 00:00:13.759
Perhaps I'm a coward.
4
00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:15.859
I don't know.
5
00:00:15.880 --> 00:00:20.059
In the years that have passed, I've never told this
6
00:00:20.079 --> 00:00:20.679
story to anyone.
7
00:00:23.050 --> 00:00:26.510
I've tried to justify my silence by assuring myself that
8
00:00:26.550 --> 00:00:27.329
no one would believe me.
9
00:00:30.059 --> 00:00:31.760
But sometimes I feel the guilt.
10
00:00:33.740 --> 00:00:36.119
Sometimes I feel it so strongly that I can run
11
00:00:36.179 --> 00:00:38.640
out into the street, stop the first man I see
12
00:00:38.700 --> 00:00:40.979
and tell him everything about the White House with the
13
00:00:41.009 --> 00:00:50.250
yellow shutters and the small brown chimneys. But then I think,
14
00:00:50.570 --> 00:00:54.929
why frighten him? Better that he go on believing that
15
00:00:56.399 --> 00:01:03.090
life is real. Life is earnest. The grave is not
16
00:01:03.109 --> 00:01:03.450
its goal.
17
00:01:05.730 --> 00:01:06.909
The Second Door.
18
00:01:07.590 --> 00:01:10.670
Starring and written especially for suspense by Robert Reddick.
19
00:01:14.500 --> 00:01:18.280
Some time ago, I made arrangements to rent a completely
20
00:01:18.379 --> 00:01:21.900
isolated house in the northwestern part of the country. The
21
00:01:21.939 --> 00:01:23.620
last leg of the journey there was made in an
22
00:01:23.700 --> 00:01:26.659
old station wagon. It was very late at night when
23
00:01:26.700 --> 00:01:28.620
we arrived and I instructed the man who drove it
24
00:01:28.670 --> 00:01:30.650
to let me off at the entrance to the long driveway.
25
00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:33.379
As I wanted to walk up to the house alone.
26
00:01:34.900 --> 00:01:38.849
With a heavy suitcase in each hand, I started up
27
00:01:38.890 --> 00:01:44.489
the long, gentle slope toward the house. At a point
28
00:01:44.670 --> 00:01:47.409
perhaps 30 or 40 yards on, the road turned sharply
29
00:01:47.430 --> 00:01:48.810
to the left, and up ahead it seemed there must
30
00:01:48.829 --> 00:01:50.870
have been a patch where the foliage of the overhanging
31
00:01:50.930 --> 00:01:52.469
trees grew less thickly together.
32
00:01:53.450 --> 00:01:57.579
For amid the utter darkness, a thin, eerie beam of
33
00:01:57.620 --> 00:02:01.810
light filtered down. shape.
34
00:02:03.810 --> 00:02:05.810
I had the impression that what I saw up ahead
35
00:02:05.829 --> 00:02:07.879
in this driveway in the middle of nowhere was a
36
00:02:07.920 --> 00:02:13.580
woman in a bright red dress, seated imperturbably in a chair.
37
00:02:15.240 --> 00:02:17.360
And suddenly, after I'd taken but a few steps further,
38
00:02:17.400 --> 00:02:20.000
this thing that I had been watching move definitely, clearly.
39
00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:22.449
For an instant, I thought an animal, but whatever it
40
00:02:22.500 --> 00:02:24.770
was remained in the filtering of light and continued to
41
00:02:24.830 --> 00:02:31.120
move back and forth in a slow, rhythmic pattern. and
42
00:02:31.150 --> 00:02:33.550
the sort of to-and-fro motion that one might set up
43
00:02:33.590 --> 00:02:34.389
at a rocking chair.
44
00:02:36.030 --> 00:02:38.689
Hello? Hello?
45
00:02:40.469 --> 00:02:41.509
Who is that up there?
46
00:02:43.669 --> 00:02:44.430
I strained my.
47
00:02:44.449 --> 00:02:46.740
Eyes to bring some sense of detail to this apparition,
48
00:02:46.780 --> 00:02:49.000
but incredibly, with each step I took toward it in the.
49
00:02:49.759 --> 00:02:51.379
Darkness, the dimmer it became.
50
00:02:52.819 --> 00:02:55.599
Until inconceivably, when I finally arrived at the spot where
51
00:02:55.620 --> 00:02:56.539
it should have been the brightest.
52
00:02:58.060 --> 00:02:59.419
There was total darkness. Darkness.
53
00:03:02.870 --> 00:03:07.569
And there was nothing there. Nothing but the unmistakable sound
54
00:03:07.610 --> 00:03:11.039
of a rocking chair. Rocking back and forth.
55
00:03:12.699 --> 00:03:17.159
Back and forth. Back and forth.
56
00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:24.340
After a few minutes, the sound of that squeaking chair
57
00:03:24.419 --> 00:03:27.419
slowly faded away. And I made my way onto the
58
00:03:27.479 --> 00:03:29.189
house where I lay awake through the night trying to
59
00:03:29.219 --> 00:03:33.219
find some reasonable explanation. As soon as it was daylight,
60
00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:35.379
I went back to that spot on the driveway where
61
00:03:35.400 --> 00:03:38.740
I found nothing to make the matter more understandable. And suddenly,
62
00:03:38.800 --> 00:03:40.800
quite distinctly, there was the sound of a man's voice
63
00:03:40.879 --> 00:03:41.560
calling out to me.
64
00:03:41.580 --> 00:03:42.259
Hello there.
65
00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:44.860
And quite nearby, a man stepped abruptly out onto the driveway,
66
00:03:44.879 --> 00:03:47.039
having come apparently along a footpath leading to the house.
67
00:03:47.060 --> 00:03:49.349
Well, I see you're an early riser, too. Lovely time
68
00:03:49.370 --> 00:03:52.050
of the day to walk about. My name's Italy. Howard Italy.
69
00:03:52.610 --> 00:03:53.810
I thought as long as we were going to be
70
00:03:53.870 --> 00:03:57.569
neighbors that I'd... Neighbors? Yes, I assume you've taken over
71
00:03:57.610 --> 00:04:01.069
the Lonegan place. Oh, yes. Yes, I have. Well, I
72
00:04:01.129 --> 00:04:02.250
have a place just north of you.
73
00:04:02.389 --> 00:04:04.430
Well, it was made perfectly clear there wasn't another house
74
00:04:04.469 --> 00:04:05.449
around here for miles.
75
00:04:05.590 --> 00:04:08.509
Oh, that's true enough, except for mine. Originally, you see,
76
00:04:08.530 --> 00:04:11.469
it was sort of a gatehouse, but it was cut off, remodeled,
77
00:04:11.509 --> 00:04:13.969
and sold to me. When was this? Uh,
Load full transcript
this is
78
00:04:14.009 --> 00:04:16.069
our seventh year. Of course, we use it only in
79
00:04:16.110 --> 00:04:20.470
the summer. We? Yes, my daughter and I. Uh, would
80
00:04:20.509 --> 00:04:22.100
you care to walk back with me to my house?
81
00:04:22.149 --> 00:04:23.250
I'd like you to meet Marilla.
82
00:04:24.180 --> 00:04:25.300
Tell me something, Mr.
83
00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:26.300
Adderley. Your, um.
84
00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:32.189
Your daughter... Yes? Does she own a bright red dress?
85
00:04:33.850 --> 00:04:37.009
What a curious question. Nonetheless, I wish you'd answer it.
86
00:04:37.779 --> 00:04:41.379
Well, I'm... Fred, I don't know. Why, do you have
87
00:04:41.420 --> 00:04:43.339
a preference for women in red dresses?
88
00:04:44.839 --> 00:04:49.660
By no means. Do you have a rocking chair, Mr. Edley?
89
00:04:50.819 --> 00:04:51.160
A what?
90
00:04:52.500 --> 00:04:53.290
A rocking chair.
91
00:04:55.930 --> 00:04:57.019
You're pulling my leg, aren't you?
92
00:04:57.990 --> 00:05:00.759
No, not at all. Do you have one?
93
00:05:01.410 --> 00:05:05.250
Oh, yes. Yes, we do have a rocking chair.
94
00:05:09.850 --> 00:05:12.910
The Italy House was a one-story building, white with yellow
95
00:05:12.970 --> 00:05:15.029
shutters and two small brown chimneys.
96
00:05:15.750 --> 00:05:18.189
It sat in the center of a moderate-sized clearing.
97
00:05:18.750 --> 00:05:21.050
The surface of this clearing was made up entirely of rock,
98
00:05:21.410 --> 00:05:23.930
actually of one enormous rock whose tap was flat as
99
00:05:23.990 --> 00:05:25.740
a sidewalk and level with the surrounding earth.
100
00:05:27.300 --> 00:05:30.370
Marilla! Yes, Father? We have a visitor.
101
00:05:31.689 --> 00:05:35.540
Hello. We thought we heard someone drive up last night.
102
00:05:35.680 --> 00:05:39.899
Oh, this is Mr. Saunders, my daughter Marilla. How do
103
00:05:39.920 --> 00:05:40.180
you do?
104
00:05:41.360 --> 00:05:44.980
It's a pleasure, Mr. Saunders. You have no idea how much.
105
00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:49.329
It was strange how attracted this girl and I were
106
00:05:49.370 --> 00:05:53.329
to each other from the very first. There was nothing
107
00:05:53.470 --> 00:05:55.970
precisely in what she said that would indicate how she felt,
108
00:05:56.009 --> 00:05:56.689
but there was something.
109
00:05:58.240 --> 00:06:01.920
unmistakable in her attitude, her manner, and the expression in
110
00:06:01.959 --> 00:06:02.399
her eyes.
111
00:06:02.759 --> 00:06:05.910
How long do you plan to be staying up here, Mr. Saunders?
112
00:06:05.930 --> 00:06:07.930
Oh, just until I unwind a little, maybe a month
113
00:06:07.970 --> 00:06:10.810
or so. Curiously, the only chair in the room was
114
00:06:10.850 --> 00:06:13.750
the rocker that Mr. Edley had said he owned. I
115
00:06:13.790 --> 00:06:14.730
took a step toward it.
116
00:06:14.970 --> 00:06:16.790
No, I wouldn't sit there, Mr. Saunders.
117
00:06:18.069 --> 00:06:18.230
Really?
118
00:06:18.269 --> 00:06:18.509
Why not?
119
00:06:18.649 --> 00:06:22.480
Well, it's... Yes? Well, it's a little unstable. Some of
120
00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:25.220
the rungs are loose. Oh, I see.
121
00:06:25.319 --> 00:06:25.759
It seems.
122
00:06:28.500 --> 00:06:29.019
Rather old.
123
00:06:29.519 --> 00:06:32.639
That chair belonged to my mother. She died last year.
124
00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:34.959
My father's sentimental about it.
125
00:06:35.600 --> 00:06:40.120
I hesitated to mention it. Well, Marilla, have you prepared
126
00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:40.920
that breakfast for me?
127
00:06:41.500 --> 00:06:42.740
Yes, it's in the kitchen.
128
00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:45.060
Well, then I suggest I get to it. Why don't
129
00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:46.850
you and Mr. Saunders take a stroll about and get
130
00:06:46.870 --> 00:06:47.379
to know each other?
131
00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:48.810
Shall we?
132
00:06:49.209 --> 00:06:51.529
I'll be working when you get back. Well, what sort
133
00:06:51.550 --> 00:06:52.769
of work do you do, Mr. Ederlein?
134
00:06:52.790 --> 00:06:52.850
Dr.
135
00:06:52.850 --> 00:06:58.470
Ederlein. Oh, really? Of what? Medicine? Oh, hardly. Of philosophy.
136
00:06:58.490 --> 00:07:01.610
Oh, now, let's go. You two can chat another time.
137
00:07:01.649 --> 00:07:04.189
Doctor? See you later, Mr. Saunders.
138
00:07:07.430 --> 00:07:09.050
Don't you think you'll be a little chilly?
139
00:07:09.689 --> 00:07:15.029
Oh, do you think so? Well, I'll get a jacket.
140
00:07:16.170 --> 00:07:18.389
Through the window, I could see her open the closet.
141
00:07:19.550 --> 00:07:22.779
And there, hanging in plain sight, was a bright red dress...
142
00:07:23.800 --> 00:07:25.600
I said nothing to her about it, hoping that in
143
00:07:25.660 --> 00:07:27.139
some way she'd get around to mentioning it or at
144
00:07:27.180 --> 00:07:29.199
least let something drop that would help explain what I'd
145
00:07:29.240 --> 00:07:30.019
seen in the driveway.
146
00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:31.300
But she didn't.
147
00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:34.740
We strolled about for some time and she spoke only
148
00:07:34.779 --> 00:07:37.639
of inconsequentialities. And when I asked her something specific about
149
00:07:37.670 --> 00:07:40.050
her background, she would respond with a non sequitur or
150
00:07:40.089 --> 00:07:44.029
direct my attention to some flower or passing bird. But
151
00:07:44.069 --> 00:07:48.110
with all, her attitude remained warm and friendly. I might
152
00:07:48.149 --> 00:07:52.509
even say inviting. And despite everything, I felt myself being...
153
00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:56.360
More and more drawn to her. At one point, I
154
00:07:56.420 --> 00:07:58.379
couldn't resist the impulse to reach out for her hands.
155
00:07:58.480 --> 00:07:59.250
Don't touch me.
156
00:07:59.370 --> 00:07:59.560
What?
157
00:08:00.110 --> 00:08:00.569
Please.
158
00:08:00.629 --> 00:08:01.329
I don't
understand.
159
00:08:01.670 --> 00:08:02.389
Don't come any closer.
160
00:08:02.410 --> 00:08:03.230
Marilla, what is it?
161
00:08:03.790 --> 00:08:05.110
We'd better go back now.
162
00:08:05.129 --> 00:08:05.850
What's the matter with you?
163
00:08:06.149 --> 00:08:08.610
Nothing. I'm perfectly all right.
164
00:08:09.189 --> 00:08:10.569
I tried to take hold of your hand. You backed
165
00:08:10.629 --> 00:08:12.360
away from me as if I were a serpent. Why?
166
00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:13.680
Please, I... Why did you do that?
167
00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:14.759
You looked absolutely terrified.
168
00:08:14.819 --> 00:08:15.560
I can't explain.
169
00:08:15.579 --> 00:08:16.360
You can't explain.
170
00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:17.060
Why can't you explain?
171
00:08:17.079 --> 00:08:19.120
I mean, I don't know why I did that.
172
00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:19.980
What, are you afraid of me?
173
00:08:20.519 --> 00:08:20.740
No.
174
00:08:20.759 --> 00:08:23.980
Well, then give me your hands. Why won't you give
175
00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:25.310
me a hand? Leave me alone, will you?
176
00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:27.269
Please, just leave me alone.
177
00:08:27.290 --> 00:08:29.250
She suddenly turned and started to run down the path,
178
00:08:29.269 --> 00:08:31.430
and at that exact moment, from a distance, we heard
179
00:08:31.449 --> 00:08:33.929
a voice calling out, screaming out, rather, as if in anguish.
180
00:08:33.950 --> 00:08:36.509
The path branched off just ahead, and I ran quickly
181
00:08:36.529 --> 00:08:38.440
in the direction of the screen. It was only a
182
00:08:38.500 --> 00:08:40.120
short distance at the point where the path came out
183
00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:41.700
of the woods, and I found myself on the cleared
184
00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:43.080
land that surrounded the Lonergan house.
185
00:08:44.659 --> 00:08:45.460
And there was no one there.
186
00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:45.740
No!
187
00:08:46.669 --> 00:08:48.500
Like the previous night when I'd heard the sound of
188
00:08:48.519 --> 00:08:50.879
the rocking chair coming out of nowhere, there was now
189
00:08:50.960 --> 00:09:01.370
only this agonizing scream for help again and again. Like before,
190
00:09:01.429 --> 00:09:03.629
the sound eventually faded away, but not before I had
191
00:09:03.649 --> 00:09:05.870
the distinct impression that what I had been listening to
192
00:09:05.909 --> 00:09:06.830
was the voice of Dr.
193
00:09:06.909 --> 00:09:07.169
Edley.
194
00:09:08.419 --> 00:09:10.980
I started back toward his house, but this time securitously,
195
00:09:11.460 --> 00:09:13.179
to make certain that I wasn't seen, I approached from
196
00:09:13.210 --> 00:09:15.830
the rear of the house. And keeping low, I scurried
197
00:09:15.870 --> 00:09:17.049
up to a partly open window.
198
00:09:18.409 --> 00:09:20.230
Marilla and Dr. Ederle were inside.
199
00:09:21.269 --> 00:09:23.519
It was your suggestion that I walk with him in
200
00:09:23.559 --> 00:09:24.379
the woods if you.
201
00:09:24.440 --> 00:09:25.759
How could I know that you were going to behave
202
00:09:25.779 --> 00:09:28.620
like an infatuated adolescent? Of course he was going to
203
00:09:28.659 --> 00:09:31.659
touch you. Batting your eyes, talking in whispers. What kind
204
00:09:31.679 --> 00:09:32.279
of behavior is that?
205
00:09:32.299 --> 00:09:32.919
Oh, I didn't know such things.
206
00:09:32.940 --> 00:09:35.820
Of course you didn't. It was outright flirtation. And then running.
207
00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:36.679
Imagine that. Running.
208
00:09:37.080 --> 00:09:38.200
What else could I have done?
209
00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:39.139
You could have used your wits.
210
00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:41.409
That screaming you did for help.
211
00:09:41.509 --> 00:09:44.610
It was the only possible way to distract him. I'd
212
00:09:44.649 --> 00:09:46.570
rather he was puzzled over that than have him discover
213
00:09:46.590 --> 00:09:49.409
the whole truth from you. Now I'm going down to
214
00:09:49.450 --> 00:09:51.049
his house and see if I can double talk our
215
00:09:51.090 --> 00:09:53.649
way out of this. Don't leave here until I get back.
216
00:09:58.179 --> 00:09:59.970
For a moment, Marilla stood in the open door.
217
00:10:00.220 --> 00:10:02.299
And then she turned and went to the bend of
218
00:10:02.340 --> 00:10:05.500
a long hallway where there were two heavy doors. She
219
00:10:05.559 --> 00:10:08.279
unlocked the narrow one and went in. Then, as quietly
220
00:10:08.299 --> 00:10:10.009
as possible, I made my way around to the front
221
00:10:10.029 --> 00:10:11.950
of the house and down the hallway to the door
222
00:10:11.990 --> 00:10:12.610
that Marilla.
223
00:10:12.389 --> 00:10:12.870
Had gone to.
224
00:10:12.889 --> 00:10:15.769
It was slightly ajar, and I could see most of
225
00:10:15.789 --> 00:10:18.730
the room with no difficulties. At one side, there was
226
00:10:18.769 --> 00:10:22.110
an enormous workbench completely strewn over with an infinite assortment of.
227
00:10:22.110 --> 00:10:25.649
Tools and electronic equipment. There were wires, tubes, lights, and meters.
228
00:10:26.629 --> 00:10:28.750
Marilla was seated before what at first appeared to be
229
00:10:28.789 --> 00:10:32.759
an ordinary television set. But there were curious labels above
230
00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:39.159
the three knobs that she was carefully adjusting. They read, respectively, latitude, longitude,
231
00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:42.620
and altitude. And she flicked a switch, and an image
232
00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:46.409
appeared on the screen. It was undoubtedly the Lannigan house.
233
00:10:47.429 --> 00:10:50.110
And it was a remarkably acceptable illusion, not only because
234
00:10:50.149 --> 00:10:52.980
the image was sharp and the coloring perfect, but because, astonishingly,
235
00:10:53.269 --> 00:10:55.960
the house was reproduced in its full three dimensions. The
236
00:10:56.019 --> 00:11:00.620
object had
roundness, depth, perspective. Except for the reduction in size,
237
00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:03.440
every detail seemed as credible, as palpable as the original.
238
00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:05.299
It seemed as if you could reach in and pick
239
00:11:05.320 --> 00:11:08.460
the very flowers near the lawn. I stood for a
240
00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:11.799
time watching this, fascinated by it, until Dr. Edderly came
241
00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:14.139
into view, crossing the lawn, approaching the porch.
242
00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:14.500
Mr.
243
00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:16.110
Saunders! Mr.
244
00:11:16.210 --> 00:11:17.110
Saunders, are you at home?
245
00:11:17.330 --> 00:11:20.470
His voice was entirely free of the usual amplification sound
246
00:11:20.509 --> 00:11:22.899
of electronic speakers. It was as clear as the miniature
247
00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:27.220
image of him that walked up to the door and knocked.
248
00:11:27.299 --> 00:11:29.179
And getting no answer, he went back toward the woods.
249
00:11:30.679 --> 00:11:32.139
At this point, Marilla must have.
250
00:11:33.009 --> 00:11:35.649
Must have heard me move slightly, before she suddenly turned,
251
00:11:35.710 --> 00:11:37.350
and in one motion she clicked off the set and
252
00:11:37.389 --> 00:11:37.970
came to her feet.
253
00:11:38.830 --> 00:11:40.179
That device, did he invent that?
254
00:11:40.200 --> 00:11:42.379
You mustn't stay here. He's coming right back.
255
00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:44.259
Well, there doesn't even seem to be an electronic speaker
256
00:11:44.299 --> 00:11:46.399
in that thing. Are there cameras, microphones, or does he
257
00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:47.399
merely twist those knobs?
258
00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:49.279
Oh, if he finds out that you've seen it... Then
259
00:11:49.299 --> 00:11:52.850
why is he keeping this a secret? It's not perfected.
260
00:11:53.389 --> 00:11:54.809
Is that true? Yes. Yes.
261
00:11:55.529 --> 00:11:57.750
Marilla, listen to me. You seem to be frightened by
262
00:11:57.789 --> 00:12:00.549
something that's going on around here. I know that I am,
263
00:12:00.570 --> 00:12:02.409
and I want to know what it is. Now, I
264
00:12:02.490 --> 00:12:04.169
also want to help you. There isn't much I can
265
00:12:04.210 --> 00:12:06.389
do if you won't tell me the truth. Now, what's
266
00:12:06.490 --> 00:12:07.529
in that other locked room?
267
00:12:07.549 --> 00:12:08.250
What?
268
00:12:08.289 --> 00:12:09.370
In the room next to this.
269
00:12:10.409 --> 00:12:11.950
My father works in there.
270
00:12:11.970 --> 00:12:13.750
Well, I'm sure he does, but at what? What does
271
00:12:13.769 --> 00:12:14.649
he work at in there?
272
00:12:14.669 --> 00:12:16.090
I can't tell you that.
273
00:12:16.149 --> 00:12:16.570
Why not?
274
00:12:17.090 --> 00:12:19.490
Because it's really his affair.
275
00:12:19.509 --> 00:12:20.889
But you do know what it is?
276
00:12:21.470 --> 00:12:21.789
Yes.
277
00:12:23.509 --> 00:12:26.009
You're going to unlock that door, Marilla. And you are
278
00:12:26.029 --> 00:12:26.889
going to unlock it now.
279
00:12:26.970 --> 00:12:27.809
Oh, please.
280
00:12:28.789 --> 00:12:31.830
Well, go on, Marilla. Why don't you oblige the gentleman?
281
00:12:31.850 --> 00:12:34.690
When a man is as curious about something as all that,
282
00:12:34.730 --> 00:12:37.549
I don't think he should be kept in frustration. Marilla,
283
00:12:37.580 --> 00:12:38.080
give me the key.
284
00:12:38.340 --> 00:12:39.799
Father, what are you doing?
285
00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:43.340
Now, Mr. Saunders, if you'll just step this way.
286
00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:45.399
We walk to the second door where Dr.
287
00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:48.500
Edley inserted the key in the lock. And open it.
288
00:12:50.269 --> 00:12:53.100
I looked into a very small room, the floor, walls,
289
00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:55.500
and ceiling of which were made entirely of frosted glass.
290
00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:58.039
And there was nothing else. It was empty.
291
00:12:58.799 --> 00:13:00.440
On the outside of the door, there was a panel,
292
00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:02.740
which he slid aside to reveal three knobs like the
293
00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:07.679
others I had seen, similarly labeled latitude, longitude, and altitude.
294
00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:08.799
Actually, Mr.
295
00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:13.519
Saunders, there are microscopic perforations in the glass to admit air. Now,
296
00:13:13.720 --> 00:13:15.620
would you be good enough to give me the name
297
00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:20.049
of a place some distance away? The place? Anywhere you choose.
298
00:13:20.110 --> 00:13:20.909
Anywhere on Earth.
299
00:13:22.649 --> 00:13:25.610
Someplace I, um... I would like to see?
300
00:13:25.649 --> 00:13:28.870
No, Mr. Saunders. Someplace you'd like to be.
301
00:13:28.889 --> 00:13:36.100
I had no intention of stepping inside Dr. Edley's glass cubicle,
302
00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:37.820
but I was curious to see what might appear on
303
00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:40.539
the screens. And I gave him the general location of
304
00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:41.639
the New England farm where.
305
00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:41.919
I was born.
306
00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:45.460
Alongside in the hallway, there was a series of bookshelves.
307
00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:48.129
It held a selection of highly detailed atlases and charts,
308
00:13:48.169 --> 00:13:50.049
and from one of these, we determined the exact location
309
00:13:50.070 --> 00:13:50.570
of the farm.
310
00:13:51.250 --> 00:13:52.850
Then he carefully adjusted the knobs.
311
00:13:53.870 --> 00:13:57.110
I watched from the doorway as the glass began to
312
00:13:57.190 --> 00:13:58.169
glow with colored light.
313
00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:01.460
And then, suddenly.
314
00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:04.980
Before me, What was for all the world an actual pasture.
315
00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:08.860
Trees and sky, flowers and grass. And in the distance,
316
00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:11.120
a barn with a silo leading like the Tower of Pisa.
317
00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:13.240
That barn, I played there when I was a child.
318
00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:16.080
Involuntarily, I must have taken a step toward it, for
319
00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:17.419
I heard Marilla's voice. Don't!
320
00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:18.250
Don't go in there!
321
00:14:18.259 --> 00:14:18.850
Be quiet.
322
00:14:18.970 --> 00:14:20.610
I turned around and I saw that Dr. Ederle had
323
00:14:20.649 --> 00:14:21.370
a gun in his hand.
324
00:14:21.389 --> 00:14:25.570
Stay where you are. Enjoy yourself. Play in the barn again, Mr. Saunders.
325
00:14:26.129 --> 00:14:28.789
And now I was completely engulfed in this farmland scene.
326
00:14:30.590 --> 00:14:34.330
It was astonishing. It was as if I were a
327
00:14:34.409 --> 00:14:35.240
very part of it.
328
00:14:37.190 --> 00:14:39.690
If I had somehow awakened here, never having seen those
329
00:14:39.769 --> 00:14:41.919
blank glass walls, I would have completely believed that I
330
00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:43.409
was standing in this open countryside.
331
00:14:43.429 --> 00:14:44.960
Where'd you come from, mister?
332
00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:46.980
I turned. I saw a farmer standing what seemed to
333
00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:48.159
be about ten yards away.
334
00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:53.860
Something I can do for you? Well, uh... No, no, I, um...
335
00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:55.279
What you doing here?
336
00:14:57.220 --> 00:14:57.759
Well, I.
337
00:14:58.259 --> 00:14:59.220
Lose your way?
338
00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:02.220
Well, not exactly.
339
00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:05.230
You see, I... Well, go on.
340
00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:09.720
Well, I was born here. My family used to own
341
00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:12.539
this place. I just thought I'd look... Take a look around.
342
00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:16.080
Yes. What's your name?
343
00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:19.480
Gordon Saunders. My father was.
344
00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:24.019
Dan Saunders. I heard of him. He had the place
345
00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.179
30 years ago.
346
00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:26.600
That's right.
347
00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:32.100
Want to see the house? Well, I... Hey, come on.
348
00:15:33.529 --> 00:15:35.269
Turned his back and walked away.
349
00:15:35.950 --> 00:15:37.250
Bring that rake along, will you?
350
00:15:37.509 --> 00:15:40.240
It was lying on the ground near my feet. I
351
00:15:40.269 --> 00:15:40.759
bent down.
352
00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:44.220
But my hand didn't close about the handle of the
353
00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:46.279
rake as it would have ordinarily, but rather passed right
354
00:15:46.299 --> 00:15:50.019
through it as if it weren't there. Nothing but sounds
355
00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:51.899
and images projected across the continent.
356
00:15:52.059 --> 00:15:56.090
You coming? Uh, no, no, no. I'd rather be by myself.
357
00:15:56.139 --> 00:15:57.889
I'll just take a little walk around if you don't mind.
358
00:15:57.909 --> 00:15:59.309
Suit yourself.
359
00:15:59.850 --> 00:16:02.350
We'll be up at the house if you change your mind. Well,
360
00:16:02.370 --> 00:16:09.179
thank you very much. And he turned and walked further away.
361
00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:13.970
He went on. Then suddenly there was the sound of
362
00:16:14.029 --> 00:16:17.919
a key, and the door opened back into Dr. Edley's hallway. Somehow,
363
00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:19.620
in an effort to save me, Marilla must have managed
364
00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:21.340
to get the key and the gun away from her father.
365
00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:23.559
It quickly opened the door of the cubicle and thrown
366
00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:25.779
the gun down the length of a long hallway. As
367
00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:28.179
I came out, she was grappling with him. Keep him
368
00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:28.730
from reaching it.
369
00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:31.340
Before I'd taken two steps toward them, he'd broken loose
370
00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:33.610
and was running for the gun. It was obvious that
371
00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:35.929
he'd reach it before either of us, and in a moment.
372
00:16:35.750 --> 00:16:36.470
We'd both be helpless.
373
00:16:36.669 --> 00:16:38.610
I had a revolver in my suitcase at the Lonegan place,
374
00:16:38.649 --> 00:16:39.950
and I knew that our only chance was for me
375
00:16:39.970 --> 00:16:40.289
to get it.
376
00:16:40.570 --> 00:16:42.029
I ran out of the house and into the woods.
377
00:16:48.269 --> 00:16:50.149
I got the gun and rushed back with it toward
378
00:16:50.190 --> 00:16:53.649
their house. I stopped just short of the clearing. I
379
00:16:53.690 --> 00:16:59.269
walked carefully to the edge. The white house with the
380
00:16:59.309 --> 00:17:03.549
yellow shutters and the two small brown chimneys.
381
00:17:05.619 --> 00:17:10.220
Was no more. It had vanished completely, not a trace
382
00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:10.359
of it.
383
00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:15.819
I walked down into the clearing, bewildered, shocked, hardly able
384
00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:19.809
to accept the evidence of my senses. How do you know, Mr. Saunders,
385
00:17:19.869 --> 00:17:24.250
that all of life is not an illusion? I didn't
386
00:17:24.289 --> 00:17:27.630
even bother to turn or look about. For I knew
387
00:17:27.690 --> 00:17:28.349
I'd see nothing.
388
00:17:31.089 --> 00:17:32.170
Can you hear me, Marilla?
389
00:17:32.190 --> 00:17:37.200
Yes, I can hear you. I can see you.
390
00:17:39.160 --> 00:17:39.799
Are you all right?
391
00:17:40.640 --> 00:17:44.960
She's perfectly all right. The house was never really here,
392
00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:47.920
was it? I'm afraid not. Nor were you.
393
00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:51.509
That walk we took in the woods, Marilla?
394
00:17:52.029 --> 00:17:53.369
Like your visit with the farmer.
395
00:17:53.529 --> 00:17:54.930
And it was you in the red dress?
396
00:17:55.650 --> 00:17:57.809
Yes. I'm sorry.
397
00:17:58.450 --> 00:18:00.680
I was doing some experiments. There was a short circuit
398
00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:02.380
and the image appeared in the driveway.
399
00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:06.480
And when I tried to touch your hand, Marilla... In
400
00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:06.880
the woods?
401
00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:10.559
She moved away. We were careful that you never actually
402
00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:15.289
touched anything connected with us. Ourselves, the rocking chair, even
403
00:18:15.329 --> 00:18:17.930
the doors of the house were held or left open
404
00:18:17.970 --> 00:18:21.029
for you. The floor? What you felt under your feet
405
00:18:21.069 --> 00:18:23.650
was the same flat rock you're standing on now. What
406
00:18:23.690 --> 00:18:28.829
you saw was the illusion of floorboards. No, no, nothing
407
00:18:28.849 --> 00:18:33.609
to touch. As yet. As yet? We have five senses,
408
00:18:33.650 --> 00:18:34.710
haven't we, Mr. Saunders?
409
00:18:34.730 --> 00:18:34.799
Yes.
410
00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:38.779
You were quite beguiled by the use of only two. Well,
411
00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:41.980
I expect to have no particular difficulties with odors and tastes.
412
00:18:43.049 --> 00:18:46.009
But the sense of touch... You'd be interested to know
413
00:18:46.049 --> 00:18:49.230
that I've begun my experiments with the sense of touch, Mr. Saunders.
414
00:18:49.789 --> 00:18:54.990
And with very encouraging results. I'd considered conducting another experiment now.
415
00:18:55.849 --> 00:18:59.569
With you as the subject. With you. And with a
416
00:18:59.609 --> 00:19:00.609
bullet for my gun. Oh.
417
00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:04.640
But Marilla has pleaded your case. She's convinced me that
418
00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:08.809
you're too sensible to tell anyone about all this. That
419
00:19:08.869 --> 00:19:09.990
no one would believe you.
420
00:19:11.529 --> 00:19:12.430
I don't imagine they would.
421
00:19:12.630 --> 00:19:14.650
She's also promised never to try to get in touch
422
00:19:14.670 --> 00:19:18.190
with you. And, of course, I have a way of
423
00:19:18.250 --> 00:19:19.990
keeping an eye on you, don't I?
424
00:19:21.470 --> 00:19:23.609
That house actually does exist somewhere.
425
00:19:23.650 --> 00:19:26.420
Doesn't it? Yes, but you won't try to find it,
426
00:19:26.470 --> 00:19:27.269
will you, Mr. Saunders?
427
00:19:27.309 --> 00:19:29.009
And, of course, your name isn't Ederle.
428
00:19:29.210 --> 00:19:32.000
I should think not. You know, I've thought of an
429
00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:34.740
interesting experiment we might conduct in the place of the
430
00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:39.150
one with the bullet. Marilla, I thought that since you've
431
00:19:39.170 --> 00:19:41.109
become so fond of our friend that you might want
432
00:19:41.130 --> 00:19:44.630
to say your last goodbye with the proper finality. That
433
00:19:44.670 --> 00:19:51.029
you might want to say it with a kiss. for
434
00:19:51.049 --> 00:19:51.509
a moment or.
435
00:19:51.490 --> 00:19:52.970
Two there was silence.
436
00:19:55.250 --> 00:20:00.259
And then I heard Marilla's voice very close almost in
437
00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:00.980
a whisper.
438
00:20:01.990 --> 00:20:05.660
I've never heard your first name would you tell it
439
00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.599
to me now.
440
00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:09.880
It's Gordon.
441
00:20:11.769 --> 00:20:13.730
Goodbye, Gordon.
442
00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:22.099
And then I felt Marilla's lips on mine. Gently. A
443
00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:24.640
tender pressure that lingered on my lips for a moment.
444
00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:27.000
And then was gone.
445
00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:31.650
And now, Mr. Saunders, now that I have given you
446
00:20:31.710 --> 00:20:34.750
your life, would you tell me in return if you
447
00:20:34.869 --> 00:20:36.089
felt Marilla's kiss?
448
00:20:38.630 --> 00:20:39.730
Yes, I did. Clearly.
449
00:20:40.529 --> 00:20:41.369
Unmistakably. Clearly.
450
00:20:43.490 --> 00:20:45.430
It was in every sense the kiss of a lovely woman.
451
00:20:47.470 --> 00:20:47.869
Except.
452
00:20:47.890 --> 00:20:48.109
Yes.
453
00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.259
Except what?
454
00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:57.200
That it was cold, Doctor. Cold as death.
455
00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.660
Suspense.
456
00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:07.160
Suspense.
457
00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:13.549
You've been listening to The Second Door, starring and written
458
00:21:13.589 --> 00:21:34.789
especially for suspense by Robert Reddick. Suspense is produced and
459
00:21:34.829 --> 00:21:39.049
directed by Bruno Zerato, Jr. Music supervision by Ethel Huber.
460
00:21:39.609 --> 00:21:43.309
Sound patterns by Walter Otto. Heard in tonight's story were
461
00:21:43.349 --> 00:21:47.789
Barbara Kassar as Marilla, Paul McGrath as Dr. Ederle, and
462
00:21:47.869 --> 00:21:49.470
Bob Dryden as the farmer.
463
00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:51.440
This is Stuart Metz speaking.
464
00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:55.279
Listen again next week when we return with Hide and Seek,
465
00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:59.119
written by Bob Corcoran. Another tale well calculated to keep
466
00:21:59.160 --> 00:21:59.500
you in.
467
00:22:01.859 --> 00:22:02.700
Suspense.
468
00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:08.660
Now from suspense and from CBS Radio Network stations everywhere,
469
00:22:09.140 --> 00:22:13.799
anniversary greetings to radio station KSL, Salt Lake City, marking
470
00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:18.420
its 40th year of operation today. To 50,000 watt KSL,
471
00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:23.549
affiliated with CBS Radio since 1932. Many more years of success.
472
00:22:24.509 --> 00:22:26.390
This is the CBS Radio Network.