Adventures in Odyssey

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey.

Whit: Oh, hi there. I'm John Avery Whittaker, but you can call me Whit. We were just getting ready for a time of wonder, excitement, and discovery. Care to join us? You never know what'll happen next when you have an adventure in Odyssey.

Mom: Jimmy, Lawrence, I'm leaving.

Jimmy: Have a good time, Mom.

Lawrence: Yeah, I hope you enjoy whatever it is people do at teachers' banquets.

Mom: It's mostly a lot of speeches and awards, but I'll do my best. I left the number for the Silverwind Restaurant next to the phone, just in case something comes up. And thank you for babysitting Lawrence, Jimmy.

Lawrence: He's just watching me, Mom. He's not babysitting me.

Mom: Well, prove it to me by behaving yourself, alright? Now give me a kiss.

Lawrence: Oh, Mom.

Mom: Lawrence.

Lawrence: Oh, okay.

Mom: And I'll see you around 11.

Jimmy: You'll see me. Lawrence will be in bed by then.

Lawrence: What?

Jimmy: Goodnight.

Lawrence: You're not going to make me go to bed before 11, are you?

Jimmy: Maybe sooner if you're not careful.

Lawrence: Terrorist.

Jimmy: Exactly. Now look, I have a ton of homework to do, so keep yourself busy with something quiet, okay? Mr. Girard assigned us a killer of an essay.

Lawrence: But I thought we were going to do something together.

Jimmy: Maybe, if I can get this homework done. So just watch TV or something. I'll be in the living room.

Lawrence: All right. Go watch TV.

Guest (Male): Now on the Adventures in Odyssey Club, Wooton gets a call from an unexpected person.

Guest (Male): Dad?

Guest (Male): Which leads to a family mystery.

Guest (Male): He didn't go home after he left the office on Friday, and no one's seen him since.

Guest (Male): Wellington is missing?

Guest (Male): It's up to father and son to follow the clues.

Guest (Male): That is a lot of cash to have inside a fish.

Guest (Male): That's too much money for a petty cash stash. It's more like an escape fund.

Guest (Male): The Bassett men are on the case. Now on the Adventures in Odyssey Club.

Edwin Blackard: Shakespeare, Shakespeare!

Shakespeare: Yes, Mr. Blackard?

Edwin Blackard: How are we doing? Is everyone in place?

Shakespeare: Yes, Mr. Blackard. Everyone is where the scripts indicate for the first scene, exactly as we rehearsed. Excellent. Mr. Miflin would like to have a word with you, sir.

Edwin Blackard: Who?

Shakespeare: The owner of the radio station.

Edwin Blackard: Oh, well, yes, of course. Mr. Miflin, a pleasure to finally meet you.

Mr. Miflin: The pleasure's all mine, Mr. Blackard.

Edwin Blackard: Oh, no, call me Edwin.

Mr. Miflin: All right, Edwin. I think it's a stroke of genius doing what you're doing tonight.

Edwin Blackard: Oh, really?

Mr. Miflin: I really mean it. Yes, this—what's it called? Panic from Beyond?

Edwin Blackard: Terror from the Skies.

Mr. Miflin: Imagine that. Trying to recapture the golden days of radio by doing a live broadcast. It's brilliant. And setting the action in Odyssey itself. I couldn't be more impressed.

Edwin Blackard: To be honest, I couldn't agree with you more.

Just a reminder, though: don't forget to put in the sponsor's commercials.

Edwin Blackard: Well, you see, I spoke to your station manager about the commercial, and it would truly destroy the dramatic momentum.

Mr. Miflin: Yes, I know. But it's simple, really. Do it, or we cancel your show.

Edwin Blackard: Consider it done. We'll find a place for it.

Mr. Miflin: Good. Well, as they say in show business, break a leg.

Edwin Blackard: Of course. Equal wishes for your various limbs as well.

Shakespeare: Sir, we're only minutes away.

Edwin Blackard: Good. Into the studio, Shakespeare, and on with the show!

Lawrence: Hey Jimmy, what are you doing?

Jimmy: I'm studying, still. Man, I hate writing essays. Why does Mr. Girard make us do so many, anyway?

Lawrence: Can we play something soon?

Jimmy: Maybe.

Lawrence: How soon?

Jimmy: I don't know.

Lawrence: Five minutes? Ten minutes? Give me a clue, okay?

Jimmy: I can't give you a clue, Lawrence. We can do something as soon as I finish this homework.

Lawrence: But Jimmy...

Jimmy: Lawrence, what's with you? I thought you were watching television.

Lawrence: I was. It was great. First there was Throbbing Jugulars, and then there was Attack of the Silent Killers with Very Long Teeth.

Jimmy: Oh, brother.

Lawrence: You should have seen them!

Jimmy: Your mom's going to kill me. I'm not supposed to let you watch that stuff.

Lawrence: Why not? It doesn't affect me. I'm fine, honest. The movie about the aliens didn't bother me at all.

Jimmy: Uh-huh.

Lawrence: So, can we play now?

Jimmy: I can't, Lawrence. I have to finish this homework.

Lawrence: Then what am I going to do? I've got to do something, or I'm going to go nuts. Let's do something now, okay?

Jimmy: Just calm down, will you? Look, listen to some music on the radio.

Lawrence: You mean, in the other room? Alone? By myself?

Jimmy: Lawrence!

Lawrence: Couldn't I listen to the radio in here?

Jimmy: In here? Oh, I get it. Not affected by scary movies, huh?

Lawrence: Well...

Jimmy: Okay, okay. You can listen in here, but don't play it loud.

Lawrence: Thanks. Is that okay? It's Odyssey FM.

Jimmy: Yeah, sure, whatever. Now just relax.

Lawrence: I'm relaxing. I'm relaxing.

Edwin Blackard: We interrupt this program for a special news report. Hello, I'm Ed Backwind, news director. We have just received a report that a very large meteor has landed in Gower's Field. I repeat, we have received a report that a very large meteor has landed in Gower's Field. We'll go now to our on-the-scene reporter, Dale Jacobs. Dale, are you there?

Lawrence: Jimmy, did you hear that?

Jimmy: Come on, Lawrence. I have to get this done.

Dale Jacobs: I'm here at Gower's Field, Ed. Can you hear me? We're getting a lot of interference. Dale Jacobs here.

Edwin Blackard: I can hear you, Dale. Describe the scene for us.

Dale Jacobs: It's remarkable, Ed. There's a big round glowing thingy. There's a low hum and the light seems to pulsate rhythmically. I'll try to get closer.

Edwin Blackard: Don't go near it! Careful, Dale!

Dale Jacobs: I don't know if you can hear that, Ed, but wait a minute. Wait, something's happening. The meteor seems to be breaking open. The noise is getting louder. Wait!

Edwin Blackard: What's happening, Dale? Are you there?

Dale Jacobs: Something's coming out. Long tentacles! It's huge! It's monstrous! It's—ah!

Edwin Blackard: Dale? Dale? Well, ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry, but we seem to have lost contact with Dale. I've been informed that the police are at the scene now. We'll break here until we have an update. Stay tuned.

Lawrence: Did you hear that, Jimmy?

Jimmy: I heard, I heard.

Lawrence: What are we going to do?

Jimmy: We're not going to do anything, Lawrence. It's just a joke. That's all. A joke.

Guest (Male): Hey, what are you guys doing? We have a road to put in.

Guest (Male): Did you hear the radio, Joe? It said a meteor landed right here at Gower's Field. What a hoot! Yeah, it said it just broke open and some alien with big tentacles grabbed the reporter.

Guest (Male): Yeah, yeah. Well, unless this alien is going to help us put in this road in a hurry, I am not interested. Why do you think they're paying us overtime? To listen to the radio? Now get on with it, will you? And turn that thing off!

Guest (Male): What's his problem? He gets grouchy working nights like this. Come on, tell him to turn on those floodlights so we can see what we're doing over here.

Guest (Male): Will do. Hey, Mac! Get those lights turned this way!

Lawrence: A joke? This can't be a joke. It's impossible. It's got to be...

Jimmy: Lawrence, calm down.

Lawrence: Are you nuts? Calm down? Aliens are taking over the world, and you want me to calm down?

Jimmy: Nobody's taking over anything. It's some kind of prank, that's all.

Lawrence: Oh yeah?

Jimmy: Yes. Look, your house faces Gower's Field, right? We'd see something on the horizon if there was an attack. So go check the window.

Lawrence: I will. Jimmy! Look! Look at that bright glow over there!

Jimmy: Wait a minute. That can't be right.

Lawrence: You said we'd see something, and there it is! I've never seen Gower's Field glow like that before!

Jimmy: It's got to be a mistake or something.

Edwin Blackard: We interrupt this program for a special news update. I'm Ed Backwind and as you may have heard, we have unconfirmed rumors of some suspicious goings-on at Gower's Field. We can't be sure, but we understand that perhaps some space aliens are attacking. Police reports are inconclusive.

However, we've made contact with Walter Shakespeare, the assistant manager of the Harlequin Dinner Theater on the edge of town. Walter, what can you tell us about this rumored attack from space aliens?

Walter Shakespeare: Frankly, Ed, I think it's rather ridiculous to believe that some gruesome beings from another planet are on the march in Odyssey, wreaking havoc wherever they go. Wait a minute, Ed. Someone's at the door. I've got to put the phone down.

Edwin Blackard: Be careful, Walter!

Walter Shakespeare: I'm coming, I'm coming! Hold your horses!

Edwin Blackard: Walter? Well, ladies and gentlemen, you've just heard for yourself. Wait.

Walter Shakespeare: Get your oily tentacles off of me! Help! Ed, it's got me! The rumors are true! The rumors are...

Edwin Blackard: Walter? Walter? We seem to have lost Walter. Well, I hope I'm not out of line to say so, but it does seem as if we are under some sort of attack. From whom and for what purpose, we don't know at this time.

However, I've been informed that if this is an attack, there are certain things we may expect. One is a loss of electricity. Oh, perhaps the aliens are listening because we just lost our power in the studio. But that's all right. We have an emergency power backup for just such...

Lawrence: See? See? This isn't a joke, Jimmy! It's happening!

Jimmy: Just wait a second. Not so fast. Our power didn't go off. If there was an attack, we'd lose our power too.

Guest (Male): Hey, Hank!

Guest (Male): What?

Guest (Male): I checked the survey of the field, and I think you're digging too far.

Guest (Male): What?

Guest (Male): You're digging too far! The power lines are buried around here!

Guest (Male): What?

Guest (Male): Power lines buried! Power lines!

Guest (Male): What? Where?

Guest (Male): Hank, are you all right?

Guest (Male): Yeah, I think so. I guess I found those power lines.

Guest (Male): You sure did. What's that smell? Something's burning. Oh, it's your hair.

Guest (Male): Hey, what happened over here? Is everyone all right?

Guest (Male): Yeah, we're all right. Cut into some lines is all.

Guest (Male): What kind of lines?

Guest (Male): Power and telephone, I think.

Guest (Male): What? Oh, terrific!

Lawrence: I want my mom!

Jimmy: I want your mom too! What are we going to do, Jimmy? The aliens are on their way! All right, wait. We can't panic. Is the phone still dead?

Lawrence: Yeah!

Jimmy: Okay, right. We have to keep our heads. This won't do any good! We have to find out what's going on!

Lawrence: How? The radio's dead! Well, don't you have one that runs on batteries? Oh yeah! My dad! He keeps it in the desk drawer!

Jimmy: Great! Turn it on! It's at Odyssey FM.

Edwin Blackard: I'm Ed Backwind and since we felt it was safer to allow no one to go home...

Lawrence: It sounds like Eugene! Maybe he knows what's going on!

Edwin Blackard: As a man of science, Eugene, can you tell us anything about these alien creatures?

Eugene Meltsner: Of course, any opinions on the subject would be merely speculative since we haven't had time to study them, Ed. However, I am inclined to suggest that these aliens are from a more advanced culture since they were able to travel light-years to our planet.

Since they are more advanced, I find it difficult to believe that they want to take over our planet simply for the fun of it. There must be a deeper purpose. Perhaps if someone would talk with them, communicate with them, we may find that it's all a matter of a near misunderstanding.

Edwin Blackard: Well, will you try to communicate with them, Eugene?

Eugene Meltsner: I would certainly be amenable to the effort. I'll try. Ah, perfect timing! I see one of the creatures through the front glass of Whit's End! Hello, Mr. Alien! I am Eugene Meltsner, and I am your friend! Do you understand? I am your friend! Ow! Cease and desist! Wrapping your tentacle around me is not conducive to good communication! Ow! Stop!

Edwin Blackard: Eugene? Eugene?

Eugene Meltsner: I'll have to get back to you, Ed!

Edwin Blackard: Terrible. Just terrible. Wait, this just in.

Guest (Male): Listen, friends. Are you sick and tired of those annoying red spots, pimples, and blackheads?

Jimmy: A commercial break?

Lawrence: In the middle of an alien attack, they play a commercial?

Edwin Blackard: A commercial break? Shakespeare, are they crazy?

Shakespeare: I'm sorry, sir, but the sponsor wanted it in and he wanted it in right this minute.

Edwin Blackard: I don't believe it! Why me? Oh, why me, Shakespeare?

Shakespeare: There, there, Mr. Blackard.

Guest (Male): Find out what's going on in other parts of Odyssey in the new Elsewhere in Odyssey comic strip.

Guest (Female): You're serious.

Guest (Male): Catch up with some long-lost characters with fully illustrated art and original stories.

Guest (Male): All right, for the good of the theater.

Guest (Male): They've been here in town all along, but now you can read about what they've been up to.

Guest (Female): You are not going to believe this.

Guest (Male): Plus, new surprises wait around every turn.

Guest (Male): It's nice to see you again.

Guest (Female): Glossman!

Guest (Male): The Elsewhere in Odyssey comic strip, a new weekly release only in the Adventures in Odyssey Club. Want to contact us about the episode you're hearing? Visit our website at adventuresinodyssey.com or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1-800-A-FAMILY, with a parent's permission, of course. We always love hearing from you.

Lawrence: We're in the middle of an alien attack and they play a commercial?

Jimmy: Maybe they're just trying to put on the brave face of normalcy during a great tragedy.

Lawrence: Yeah, maybe. Jimmy, I can't just sit around here anymore! We got to do something to fight these things!

Jimmy: Oh, I could read my essay to them. That'll put them to sleep.

Lawrence: Jimmy!

Jimmy: Look, Lawrence, we can't do anything. We need to stay put.

Lawrence: But Jimmy!

Edwin Blackard: And back with you again. It seems as if the mysterious aliens have gathered forces and are headed to—let me confirm this—the Silverwind Restaurant where a science symposium is being held.

Lawrence: Teachers' banquet!

Edwin Blackard: The National Guard have marshaled their forces, but so far have not been able to repel these hideous invincible beasts. We're going live to the corner of... Hey, why'd you do that?

Lawrence: The monsters are headed for my mom, Jimmy! I have to do something!

Jimmy: Like what?

Lawrence: I don't know, but I want my mom and I want her now! Where's my bike? Lawrence! Wait! Hold up, Lawrence! All right, I'll go with you!

Edwin Blackard: Where will they strike next? Is there no stopping them? Sir, Mr. Blackard.

Shakespeare: What is it, Shakespeare? I'm about to go back on. Yes, sir, but Mr. Miflin insists that you read this announcement.

Edwin Blackard: Not another pimple commercial!

Shakespeare: He said that he's received several phone calls from frightened parents, and Leonard Tyler said you're scaring his pigs.

Edwin Blackard: What?

Shakespeare: Please read the announcement or Mr. Miflin will do it himself.

Edwin Blackard: Oh, all right! Ladies and gentlemen, you're listening to Odyssey FM and the Harlequin Players presenting a dramatization of Terror from the Skies. It is only a dramatization. Thank you.

Shakespeare: Very good, sir.

Edwin Blackard: I do hope Leonard Tyler's pigs are happy.

Jimmy: Lawrence! Lawrence, hold up!

Lawrence: What's wrong?

Jimmy: Look around. Something's weird.

Lawrence: Huh?

Jimmy: This is Whit's End. Look. No broken glass. No sign of trouble anywhere.

Lawrence: Well, maybe they fixed it.

Jimmy: Who? The aliens? They sent a follow-up repair unit to fix whatever they don't eat? This just doesn't make sense.

Lawrence: Come on! The Silverwind Restaurant is this way!

Guest (Male): Thank you, Mr. Oliver, for that financial report. Well, I've been telling you all night that we had a special treat, and the time is here. To fill you in, allow me to introduce Mr. John Whittaker. Come on out, Whit.

Whit: Thank you, Principal Skinner. As a former teacher myself, it's a pleasure to be here. But tonight, I'm not calling on you as teachers, but as would-be actors and actresses.

You see, even as we speak, Odyssey FM is airing a radio drama produced by Edwin Blackard. It's called Terror from the Skies and uses news reports to tell about an attack on Odyssey by creatures from outer space. In a couple of minutes, the Silverwind Restaurant will be the next victim of the attack.

That's where you come in. We're hooked up to the station and when I give you the cue, I want you to scream and yell as if you're being attacked by creatures from outer space. After this year's budget cuts, that shouldn't be hard to do. All right, let's make sure we're in working order. Edwin? Can you hear me? Hello? Is there anybody in the studio?

Edwin Blackard: I have you, Mr. Whittaker. Mr. Blackard?

Shakespeare: Yes, Shakespeare. I have Mr. Whittaker and the teachers at the Silverwind Restaurant ready to go.

Edwin Blackard: Excellent. Tell them to stand by.

Whit: All right, ladies and gentlemen. We're going to put the radio broadcast over the speakers so we can hear what's going on. Now, I'll wave my arms like this when I want you to start screaming, and then I'll wave my arms like this when I want you to stop. Got it? Can we hear the program?

Edwin Blackard: The Guardsman fought as hard as they could, just shooting and shooting and shooting. But those ornery aliens seemed to like it. You know, like the bullets were tickling them or something. Do you know how sickening it is to hear an alien giggle?

Thank you, Mildred Fineswiper, for that first-hand account of the battle on City Hall steps. Wait, I'm sorry. We've just been able to connect with John Whittaker at the Silverwind Restaurant where the aliens are moving at a great speed. Are you there, Whit?

Whit: I'm here, Ed. And yes, the aliens are coming at us. I can see them in the distance, but I'd give it only a minute or so before they arrive. The crowd of scientists gathered here have put their collective brains together and come up with a possible solution to rid ourselves of these monsters. But wait, they're coming! They're nearly here!

Jimmy: I'm telling you, Lawrence, this isn't right. It's too quiet. We haven't seen any aliens or damage or anything.

Lawrence: I don't care! I want to see my mom to make sure she's all right. Let's go this way. There's a back way through the kitchen. Maybe we can take the aliens by surprise.

Jimmy: And what? Spit on them? Listen, Lawrence, this whole thing is some kind of a prank. It's too quiet. Will you listen to me?

Lawrence: All right, I'm listening. I'm listening. What? It's the aliens! Hurry! I'll save you, Mom!

Jimmy: Lawrence! Sounds wonderful, sir.

Edwin Blackard: Yes, not bad for a bunch of amateurs. Turn my microphone back on.

Shakespeare: Yes, sir.

Edwin Blackard: Mr. Whittaker, can you hear me? Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry, but we seem to be witnessing a terrible tragedy.

Whit: Ed! Ed, can you hear me? It's a miracle! A miracle!

Edwin Blackard: Mr. Whittaker?

Whit: We're spraying the aliens and they're retreating! I repeat, the aliens are retreating!

Edwin Blackard: That's remarkable, Mr. Whittaker. What are you spraying them with?

Whit: Water! Just plain water! It affects them like acid! Our scientists at this convention have put their heads together and...

Lawrence: I'll save you! I'll fight them all! Mom! Mom, where are you? Mom!

Jimmy: Lawrence! What in the world is that? Whit? Shakespeare, that's not in the script! You're still on the air, sir!

Edwin Blackard: Oh. Ladies and gentlemen, as you can hear from the torturous screams of—actually, in the deafening silence, we seem to have a victorious victory over the aliens thanks to...

Mom: I'm right here, son. Everything's all right. It was just a radio play.

Lawrence: I thought you were being attacked. I came to save you.

Mom: Thank you, Lawrence.

Lawrence: Mom.

Edwin Blackard: Well, as you all heard, we seem to have a happy ending all around as the aliens were killed with plain and simple water, which vanquished them upon contact, and they all died quickly, and the world was saved. And you've been listening to Odyssey FM and the Harlequin Players, and I'm Edwin Blackard. Thank you and good night. Shakespeare, what happened?

Whit: I guess that wraps it up for our careers in live radio drama. Is there something you want to say, Jimmy?

Jimmy: Yes. I just want to say that if you're here, Mr. Girard, I may be a little late handing in my essay.

Mom: I'm really surprised at you, letting your imaginations run away like that. Especially after you saw with your own eyes that the town was safe.

Jimmy: Well, I didn't really believe it. You see, I was just trying to pacify Lawrence.

Mom: I'm sure.

Lawrence: But it was so real on the radio. I mean, it sounded like real news bulletins.

Mom: And the ending would have sounded just as real if it hadn't been interrupted.

Jimmy: That guy ruined it for everybody.

Mom: From what I heard, I doubt if that program could have been ruined any more than it was. After all, any intelligent person would know better than to believe such nonsense. Mom, watch out! Is everyone all right?

Jimmy: Yeah. Who is that?

Guest (Female): Are you crazy running in front of me like that? I could have hit you!

Guest (Male): Sorry about that, ma'am. Harlo Doyle, private eye here. I thought you might want to know that the city is under attack!

Mom: What?

Guest (Male): You better run for the hills! Grab your water pistols! The aliens are coming! The aliens are coming! Warn your neighbors and your friends and even a few distant acquaintances! The aliens are coming! The aliens are coming!

Lawrence: What were you saying, Mom?

Mom: Maybe Mr. Blackard should be more careful with his radio dramas in the future.

Chris: Well, that's it for today's rather wild adventure. I hope you enjoyed it. You know, if you ever want to write to us, our address is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Or in Canada write to Box 9800, Vancouver BC, V6B 4G3.

You may also want to ask how you can get your own copy of today's episode. It's called Terror from the Skies. That address again is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Adventures in Odyssey's a presentation of Focus on the Family. Terror from the Skies was written and directed by Paul McCusker.

Our production engineer was Bob Luttrell, and our executive producer, Chuck Bolte. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.