Introduction

ORSON WELLESWe know now that in the early years of the twentiethcentury this world was being watched closely byintelligences greater than man's, and yet as mortal ashis own. We know now that as human beings busiedthemselves about their various concerns they werescrutinized and studied, perhaps almost as narrowly asa man with a microscope might scrutinize the transientcreatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water.

With infinite complacence people went to and fro overthe earth about their little affairs, serene in theassurance of their dominion over this small, spinningfragment of solar driftwood which, by chance or design,man has inherited out of the dark mystery of Time andSpace.

Yet across an immense ethereal gulf, minds that are toour minds as ours are to the beasts in the jungle,intellects vast, cool and unsympathetic, regarded thisearth with envious eyes and slowly and surely drewtheir plans against us.

In the thirty-ninth year of the twentieth century camethe great disillusionment. It was near the end ofOctober. Business was better. The war scare was over.More men were back at work. Sales were picking up. Onthis particular evening, October 30th, the Crosleyservice estimated that thirty-two million people werelistening in on radios.

New York Studio

ANNOUNCER ONE... for the next twenty-four hours not much change intemperature. A slight atmospheric disturbance ofundetermined origin is reported over Nova Scotia,causing a low pressure area to move down rather rapidlyover the northeastern states, bringing a forecast ofrain, accompanied by winds of light gale force. Maximumtemperature 66; minimum 48.

This weather report comes to you from the GovernmentWeather Bureau.

We take you now to the Meridian Room in the Hotel ParkPlaza in downtown New York, where you'll be entertainedby the music of Ramón Raquello and his orchestra.

Hotel Park Plaza - Meridian Room

MUSIC: SPANISH THEME SONG ["NO MORE," A TANGO]... FADES

ANNOUNCER THREEGood evening, ladies and gentlemen. From the MeridianRoom in the Park Plaza Hotel in New York City, we bringyou the music of Ramón Raquello and his orchestra. Witha touch of the Spanish, Ramón Raquello leads off with"La Cumparsita."

MUSIC: "LA CUMPARSITA" STARTS PLAYING, THEN QUICKLY FADESOUT

New York Studio

ANNOUNCER TWOLadies and gentlemen, we interrupt our program of dancemusic to bring you a special bulletin from theIntercontinental Radio News.

At twenty minutes before eight, central time, ProfessorFarrell of the Mount Jennings Observatory, Chicago,Illinois, reports observing several explosions ofincandescent gas, occurring at regular intervals on theplanet Mars. The spectroscope indicates the gas to behydrogen and moving towards the earth with enormousvelocity.

Professor Pierson of the Observatory at Princetonconfirms Farrell's observation, and describes thephenomenon as, quote, "like a jet of blue flame shotfrom a gun," unquote.

We now return you to the music of Ramón Raquello,playing for you in the Meridian Room of the Park PlazaHotel, situated in downtown New York.

Hotel Park Plaza - Meridian Room

MUSIC PLAYS FOR A FEW MOMENTS UNTIL PIECE ENDS...

SOUND: APPLAUSE

ANNOUNCER THREEAnd now a tune that never loses favor, the ever-popular"Stardust." Ramón Raquello and his orchestra...

MUSIC: "STARDUST"