Chain Of Command by X Minus One

George (0:01)

Relic Radio.

Fred Collins (0:33)

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. These are stories of the future, adventures in which you'll live in a million could be years on a thousand maybe worlds. The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine, presents X Minus One. Tonight, Chain Of Command by Stephen R.

Charlie Boyle (1:59)

This is about George. He's a friend of mine, lives right here at the Brookside Atomic Laboratory with his family.

My name is Charlie Boyle, by the way. I'm a security guard here at the lab. Been here now for, well, 20 years, I guess. Of course, they don't use the lab anymore, lots of weeds and things, and well, I stick around, there isn't really any place to go. Well, I'm getting away from it after all. This is about George.

Some of it I know myself, a lot of it he told me after it was over. It began, let's see now, it began the morning after George's wife lit into him.

George (2:38)

I think, George, the least you could do is complain. After all, are you a mouse or a man? Clara, what's the point of complaining? It'll just start trouble. We do live at the laboratory.

SPEAKER_5 (2:48)

We have some rights.

George (2:50)

The best thing we can do is just stay right where we are.

SPEAKER_5 (2:53)

But it's dangerous.

George (2:54)

There's nothing dangerous about it, not so long as we know what we're doing. I'm not thinking about us.

Fred Collins (2:59)

I'm thinking about the children.

George (3:01)

The children know where they mustn't go. George, I will not go on like this without a moment's peace of mind.

SPEAKER_6 (3:06)

If you had the slightest concern for my welfare or for the children's, you'd make...

George (3:10)

All right, all right. I'll go talk to old Charlie, the security guard. Why not talk directly to the superintendent? Because of the complications. Now, I promise you I'll explain the situation to Charlie. He knows me. I've talked to him for over a year now. And he hasn't the slightest influence. I'll impress the seriousness of the situation on him. All right, but do it now. I will. And be firm.

I'll be as firm as I can.

Charlie Boyle (3:42)

I was at my desk in the hallway. Place was deserted. I've always worked the night shift, except for my supervisor, Mr. Adams, who was in his office down the hall working late.

I remember I was sort of dozing off when I heard George's voice in my ear.

George (3:56)

Charles. Charlie.

It's me, George.

Charlie Boyle (4:03)

Oh, yes, yes, George, yeah. How are you?

George (4:07)

Fine. Can I have a chat with you?

Charlie Boyle (4:09)

Chat away? I got all night.

George (4:11)

Good. It's about the trap.

Charlie Boyle (4:14)

The trap?

George (4:15)

The one outside our door.

Charlie Boyle (4:16)

Oh, that trap?

George (4:18)

Clara, my wife, says it's dangerous. Well, now I... She'd like it removed.

Charlie Boyle (4:23)

Removed? Oh, no, George, that can't be done.

George (4:27)

Regulations?

Charlie Boyle (4:28)

Regulations.

George (4:30)

Suppose you just removed it without telling anybody.

Charlie Boyle (4:34)

Oh, they'd fire me, George.

George (4:37)

I see. Clara's afraid one of the kids might get hurt.

Charlie Boyle (4:41)

Oh.

George (4:43)

How about taking it up with the supervisor?

Charlie Boyle (4:45)

Mr. Adams?

George (4:46)

Why not?

Charlie Boyle (4:48)

Well, it never occurred to me.

George (4:49)

Why not give it a try?

Charlie Boyle (4:51)

Oh, I don't know. Mr. Adams doesn't even know you exist.

George (4:55)

Maybe it's time he found out.

Charlie Boyle (4:57)

Hmm. Well...

Well, it... it might get a bit sticky.

George (5:02)

Give it a try. Come on, Charlie. Be a good fellow. Haven't we been buddies for a long time?

Charlie Boyle (5:09)

Oh, we've been buddies, all right, but... Well, when it comes to something like this...

George (5:13)

Well, you try at least. Clara isn't going to let me alone unless something happens.

Charlie Boyle (5:19)

Oh. Okay, George. I'll give it a try.

I straightened my tie and I brushed off my uniform real neat and I went into Mr. Adams' office. I could see the light under his door and hear him on the phone, so I knew he was there.

Edgar Adams (5:42)

Edgar, Adams up at Brookside Lab.

Charlie Boyle (5:46)

Uh-huh.

Edgar Adams (5:47)

How are things in Washington? No, no, no, nothing serious. Just want to have a fingerprint check on one of our scientists.