Knock by Dimension X

Relic Radio Sci-Fi (old time radio)

This episode of Dimension X presents a classic science fiction radio drama titled 'Knock.' The story follows Walter Phelan, an anthropology

Key takeaways

• Walter Phelan is an associate professor of anthropology at Nathan University.
• The Zans originate from planet seven in the third galaxy, fourth quadrant.

Main topics

• Alien invasion
• Human extinction

Notable quotes

The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door.

Conclusion

A gripping tale of human ingenuity using the very thing that defines o

Transcript preview

Speaker 1 (0:00) Relic Radio. Relic Radio Sci-Fi. Old time radio. Science fiction stories. From RelicRadio.com. Adventures Speaker 4 (0:32) in time and space. Told in future tense. Speaker 2 (0:39) The Mansion. Speaker 4 (0:55) Can you predict the future? Can you tell what will happen in a hundred years? Or in ten? Or in the next minute? Can you look beyond the known dimensions of time and space? Into the unknown. Dimension X. We have a strange story to tell. A sweet, blood-curdling little story that is really only two sentences long. The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door. Think it over. Suppose you were the last man alive on Earth. In the universe, for that matter. The last man sitting alone in a room. And suddenly, there was a knock on the door. What knocked on the door? You wonder, don't you? Your mind, faced with the unknown, supplies something vaguely horrible. But it isn't horrible, really. You'll see. Speaker 4 (2:05) The last man on earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door. Speaker 3 (2:14) What's Speaker 4 (2:15) that? Speaker 2 (2:19) Good morning, man. What? Who are you? You have regained consciousness. Who are you? I am a son. Maybe if I close my eyes, it'll Speaker 3 (2:29) go Speaker 2 (2:30) away. I will not go away, man. Oh, no, I guess I am awake. Speaker 3 (2:37) Who? Speaker 2 (2:38) What are you? I am Azan. What's that? Azan is intelligent life. What happened? Where are you from? From planet seven in the third galaxy in the fourth quadrant. Where? It is not necessary to repeat information which is correct in the original statement. Planet seven? You mean I'm not on Earth? You are still on your planet. Well, then what are you doing here? The Zans have annexed your world. You mean you've conquered Earth? Yes, that is correct. We will now prepare your planet for habitation by the Zan. How about Speaker 3 (3:14) the people? Speaker 2 (3:15) There is no longer any use for large numbers of lower life forms. Therefore, we have dispensed with them. Dispensed with? You mean you've... Speaker 2 (3:26) When did all this happen? Two days ago. You have been unconscious until now. Speaker 3 (3:31) You Speaker 2 (3:31) really mean I'm the last man on Earth? That is correct. Identify yourself now. What? Kindly provide data as to your position in the elementary social order of your planet. Speaker 3 (3:42) Oh, oh, Speaker 2 (3:43) uh... Speaker 3 (3:44) Well, I'm Walter Phelan, associate professor of anthropology at Nathan University. How is it you speak English? Speaker 2 (3:52) We have deciphered your written and recorded records. It is not difficult to reconstruct your language, or a type of auditory communication. Oh. Is there anything you want to complete your natural habitat? You mean I'm a prisoner? That is correct. What will you want further in your room? Well, do I have to stay here? Yes. The rest of my life? Forever. Speaker 3 (4:14) Then you better bring in my books. I got to call you something. Do you mind if I call you George? It is immaterial. All right then, George. I can't really believe this. That is a characteristic of low life form. I'm trying to take this in without Speaker 2 (4:35) going off balance completely. I will be back, Associate Professor of Anthropology. It's all right, George. Just call me Walter. Very well, Walter. I will be back with your books. All right, George. I'll be seeing you around. You will not be around, Walter. You will be here. Speaker 4 (4:57) Yes, the last man on earth sat alone in a room. A rather peculiar room. He'd just noticed how peculiar it was. And he'd been studying out the reason for its peculiarity. His conclusion didn't horrify him, but it annoyed him. There was a knock on the door. Speaker 3 (5:15) Come in. Oh. Speaker 2 (5:18) Hello, George. Hello, Walter. What can I do for you? Point one, you will please henceforth sit with your chair pointed the other way. Speaker 3 (5:26) I thought so. That plain wall is different from the other sides, isn't it? That is correct. It is transparent. That's what I thought. I'm in a zoo. Right? That is correct. I knew it. And if I persist in sitting with my back to it, what then? You'll kill me, I ask, hopefully? No, Speaker 2 (5:44) we will not kill you. That's too bad. Speaker 2 (5:49) George, Speaker 3 (5:50) face the bars and perform for the people. I mean for the Zans. Speaker 2 (5:55) How Speaker 3 (5:55) many other animals do you have here in the zoo, George? Speaker 2 (5:58) 216, a male and female each of 108 kinds. Male Speaker 3 (6:02) and female of all the Speaker 2 (6:05) animals? There is a female of your species among the collection. Speaker 3 (6:08) Anyone I know? Never mind. It doesn't matter anyway. Speaker 3 (6:12) Well, George, you started out with point one. I suppose there's a point two kicking around somewhere. What is it? Speaker 2 (6:17) Something we do not understand. Two of the other animals sleep and do not wake. They are cold. What is wrong with them, Walter? Well, they must be dead. Dead? That means stopped. But nothing stopped them. Each was alone. Sure, Speaker 3 (6:33) they just died. But I have Speaker 2 (6:35) told you they were alone. Nothing stopped them. George, Speaker 3 (6:39) do Speaker 2 (6:40) you mean to tell me that you don't know what natural death is? Death is when a being is killed, stopped from living. Maybe these animals just died of old age. Old age. I do not understand. George, how old are you? Your planet went around the sun about 7,000 times since I was born. 7,000 years? Yes, I'm still young. Look, George, Speaker 3 (7:05) you've got something to learn about this planet you've hijacked. Here on Earth, we've got somebody that's a stranger where you come from. Down here, our people and animals live until the Grim Reaper stops them. Speaker 2 (7:19) This Grim Reaper stopped the two animals? That's right. He will stop more? Oh, he gets us all, George. This is a new factor we have not considered. But you can consider Speaker 3 (7:30) it. Because when the Grim Reaper gets through, there won't Speaker 2 (7:32) be very much left of your zoo. You mean he will stop more animals soon? Speaker 3 (7:36) With Speaker 2 (7:36) your lifespan, it won't seem like a minute and we'll all be gone. Speaker 3 (7:40) It looks like you made a mistake, George. Speaker 2 (7:43) I Speaker 3 (7:43) don't think there's very much you can do Speaker 2 (7:45) about it. That is not correct. The Zahn is a logical being. We will take action. Where Speaker 3 (8:01) are you taking me, George? Speaker 2 (8:02) We will be there shortly. Speaker 3 (8:04) You mean it's Speaker 2 (8:05) moving day? That is correct. We are here now. You will live here now, Walter. It is a larger room. Well, be it ever so humble. Speaker 3 (8:15) Go inside. Be careful with those books, George. Don't lose... Excuse me. Speaker 5 (8:23) Who are you? What are you doing here? Speaker 3 (8:27) Well, I guess George didn't explain. George tries to be polite, but he hasn't quite caught on yet. I'm Walter Phelan. Speaker 5 (8:35) My name is Grace Evans, Mr. Phelan. What is all this about? Why did they bring me here? Speaker 3 (8:41)