- 10 hours ago
"Zero Hour" by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction short story about an alien invasion orchestrated through children playing a game called "Invasion," where they use their imaginative play to help aliens take over Earth from the adults.
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00:00And now, another tale well calculated to keep you in suspense.
00:10Zero Hour, written for suspense by Ray Bradbury.
00:15Only with love, discipline, and luck can the helpless parents hope to lead the bewildered child toward the grown-up
00:23world where things are not always what they seem.
00:27But what if the parents were to be denied that opportunity?
00:31What if the innocent little children were to take over the world at five o'clock some quiet summer afternoon?
00:39Well, here's the answer as we bring you Ray Bradbury's chilling story of childhood.
00:45Zero Hour.
00:50What a game, such excitement the children hadn't known in their whole lives.
00:54Mink talked earnestly to someone near the rosebush, though no one was there.
01:00And then the two little girls, shouting, laughing at each other.
01:03Such fun, such tremendous joy.
01:06It was all Mink's mother could do to get her grimy and excited daughter in for lunch.
01:12Goodness, Mink, I've never heard such a racket out in the garden.
01:14What were you and Anna up to?
01:16Most exciting game ever.
01:17Just ever.
01:18Oh, what's the name of the game?
01:20Invasion.
01:21Invasion?
01:22Well, invasion will have to wait until you've eaten your lunch properly.
01:25Now, slow down, young lady.
01:27Do you hear?
01:28Can't.
01:29Bill's waiting for me.
01:30Drill?
01:31What a peculiar name.
01:33Is he a new boy in the neighborhood, dear?
01:35He's new, all right.
01:36I don't think I've seen him.
01:38Which one is Drill?
01:40Oh, he's just around.
01:42I've got to go now, Mom.
01:44It's going to have the invasion.
01:45You finish your milk, miss.
01:48Who's invading what?
01:49Martians are invading the earth.
01:51Oh, I see.
01:54And Drill's a Martian?
01:55I think so.
01:56He's had a very hard time getting him.
01:58Oh, I should imagine.
01:59They couldn't figure a way to attack earth.
02:02How to get in or something.
02:03Drill says they have to do it by surprise.
02:06And even get help from your enemy.
02:08Ah, fifth column.
02:09Yes.
02:10And all this time they haven't been able to figure out how to attack.
02:13Until one day, they thought of children.
02:16Well, that was bright of them.
02:17And they thought of how grown-ups are so busy.
02:19They never look under rose bushes or on lawns.
02:23Is that where Drill is now, under the rose bush?
02:25Yes, with all his friends, too.
02:28He says there's something about kids under 11 with imagination.
02:32It's real funny to hear Drill talk.
02:34It must be.
02:35Well, you can run along now, so you can have your invasion before dark.
02:39Uh, bath tonight.
02:41School tomorrow, you know.
02:42Drill says I won't have to take any more bath.
02:44Oh, he does, does he?
02:46And we can stay up till 10 o'clock.
02:48Well, your friend, Mr. Drill, had better mind his P's and Q's,
02:51or I'm going to call up his mother and tell her...
02:53That's just it.
02:54Drill says you're dangerous.
02:55Because you don't believe in Martians.
02:58Just like you think Drill's a kid.
03:00Well, he's not.
03:01And they're going to let us run the world.
03:03When they get in.
03:04All of us kids.
03:06And I might even be queen.
03:07Well, that's nice, dear.
03:09Now, run along.
03:13Mom?
03:14What is it, dear?
03:15Mom, when the invasion comes, we'll have to get rid of you and Daddy.
03:20But I'll be sure it won't hurt very much.
03:22Well, thanks.
03:24Thanks a lot.
03:37Hello?
03:38Hello, Mary.
03:39Helen.
03:39How are you?
03:40How nice.
03:41Are you in town?
03:42No, I'm up home in Plainfield.
03:44I was thinking of you.
03:45Thought I'd call.
03:46It's long distance, though.
03:47You shouldn't.
03:48Oh, I can afford three minutes.
03:50How's Henry?
03:51Fine.
03:52And Bill?
03:53Just fine.
03:54What about Mink?
03:55Oh, wonderful.
03:56Noisier than ever.
03:57She's got a new game now.
03:59It's taken the place of hopscotch.
04:01Invasion.
04:01Oh, is she playing that, too?
04:04Yes.
04:04Is there yours?
04:05Same thing.
04:06Some kind of geometric jacks, I suppose.
04:09Isn't it a scream?
04:10All the kids their age are playing it up here.
04:13Timmy's got a crush on some guy named Drill.
04:16I think that's what it is.
04:18It must be a new password.
04:19Mink likes him, too.
04:20I didn't know it had got to your part of the world.
04:23Word of mouth, I suppose.
04:25You know, kids.
04:26Funniest thing.
04:27I got a letter from my sister in Boston.
04:30She says her kids are playing it, too.
04:32It's sweeping the country.
04:33Well, I wonder where they learned it.
04:35Don't ask me.
04:37All I know is what Timmy told me at lunch.
04:40Zero hours at five o'clock.
04:42When?
04:43Five o'clock today.
04:44That's when the invasion's going to be.
04:47These kids and their imagination.
04:49Oh, I wanted to tell you about...
04:52And they talked a little more.
04:53Schoolgirl friends' casual woman talk.
04:56But Mrs. Morris was thoughtful.
04:58She was thinking of other things.
05:00Of adults.
05:02Of little children with imagination.
05:04Rose bushes.
05:06And their unseen friend named Drill.
05:09She thought of how much she'd forgotten about being a child.
05:12And she wondered about Mink.
05:14And all the kids everywhere who, at that moment,
05:17were playing Invasion.
05:24In just a moment,
05:26we will return for the second act of...
05:30Suspense.
05:41Inside the Morris house, an hour drowsed by,
05:44while across the town in other gardens,
05:47in other backyards,
05:48little children were excitedly playing a game.
05:51Talking to rose bushes,
05:54the grass lawns, trees, and shrubs.
05:57Even children in apartment houses high in the air,
06:00conferring with potted plants, cactus and ivy.
06:04Mrs. Morris had finished her mending
06:06and gone back to the kitchen when Mink burst in.
06:10Hello, dear.
06:11Hi, Mom.
06:12Can I have a glass of water?
06:13Of course.
06:13I'll get it.
06:19Hi, R squared.
06:21Forty-seven.
06:23A over fifty-six.
06:26The seventh degree.
06:28X-T-seven.
06:32What, dear?
06:33Nothing, Mom.
06:34Here's your water.
06:35Thanks.
06:36How are things going?
06:38Hmm?
06:38The invasion.
06:40Oh, that.
06:41Yes, that.
06:42Almost finished.
06:44Drill says we should be ready on time.
06:46Five o'clock?
06:47That's right.
06:48How did you know?
06:50Helen called from Painsfield.
06:51She says Timmy's playing at two.
06:53Hey, that's keen.
06:55Well, I guess all the kids are, aren't they?
06:57No, not all of them.
06:59Not guys like Gil Eskley and Jimmy Woods.
07:01They're growing up.
07:03Make fun of us.
07:04They're worse than parents.
07:06Well, we'll get rid of them.
07:08Drill says it's okay to kill them, too.
07:11Now, I don't like that kind of talk, Mink.
07:13Do you hear me?
07:13I don't like it at all.
07:14Oh, Mom.
07:15I mean it.
07:16You keep on that way and there's no more playing.
07:19You'll have to tell Anna to go home and you'll stay inside until bedtime.
07:22I'm sorry.
07:23Well, I should think so.
07:28Thanks for the water, Mom.
07:29Mink.
07:30Uh-huh.
07:31What did those numbers mean?
07:33What numbers?
07:34Those numbers you were saying to yourself a minute ago.
07:37Oh, that.
07:39They're the things we have to do to get Joel and his friends out.
07:42That's all.
07:44Look, dear.
07:45Why don't you and Anna go down to the drugstore and get some ice cream?
07:48Sure.
07:49You don't have to use your allowance.
07:50I'll give you the money.
07:51Haven't got time, Mom.
07:52Thanks.
07:53Well, I never thought I'd hear you say that.
07:55I've got to go now, Mom.
07:56Wait just a minute.
07:58Mink, I want you to tell me the truth now.
08:01What is this invasion silliness?
08:04It isn't silly.
08:08It's just a game, that's all, Mom.
08:10We're just playing an invasion.
08:12Excuse me.
08:13I've got to get back now.
08:14I'll see you later.
08:21Mrs. Morris was disturbed.
08:23She wasn't sure why.
08:24But because she was disturbed, she did something she didn't usually do.
08:29She called her husband at the office.
08:31Hello, dear.
08:33Hello, Henry.
08:34I'm sorry to bother you, but Miss Maxson said you weren't busy.
08:38Not to.
08:38I should be able to get home early today.
08:42Everything all right?
08:43Yes.
08:44You all right?
08:46I'm fine.
08:47Mink?
08:48Oh, she's...
08:49Henry?
08:51What, dear?
08:52Oh, nothing.
08:54I just felt like talking to you for a minute, that's all.
09:00Listen, you sure you're all right?
09:02Yes.
09:03Mink been getting on your nerves?
09:06No, not really.
09:07She's playing outside.
09:09She's fine.
09:11Honey, is something wrong?
09:13No, I told you I was thinking about you and wanted to talk, that's all.
09:19What time do you think you'll be home?
09:21About five, maybe a little earlier.
09:23Five?
09:24Oh.
09:25Hey, what do you mean, oh?
09:28Well, I was just thinking...
09:31Nothing, really.
09:33Goodbye, darling.
09:34You are okay, aren't you?
09:35I'm fine.
09:36Goodbye.
09:37Bye.
09:38Bye.
09:46Another hour passed.
09:48It was half past four.
09:50Outside, it was quiet.
09:52The two little girls, more intent than ever upon the endless movement of their game.
09:56Mrs. Morris watched from the window, and she had never known Mink to have such powers of concentration.
10:03She turned on the radio and sat drinking a cup of coffee, turning over her thoughts.
10:09Children.
10:11Children love and hate side by side.
10:15Sometimes children love you and hate you, all in a half a second.
10:21Children.
10:22Do they ever forget or forgive the whippings and the harsh, strict words of command?
10:28And I wonder, I wonder, I wonder, how can you forget or forgive those over and above you,
10:35those tall, silly dictators, those parents?
10:41Mom?
10:42What is it, dear?
10:43Have we got a piece of lead pipe and a hammer?
10:46Well, I don't know.
10:47They might be in the garage.
10:48What do you want them for?
10:49Oh, we just need them.
10:51Well, if you tell me, I can...
10:53I can get them.
10:54Thanks, Mom.
10:55Is something wrong?
10:56Drill's stuck halfway.
10:58If we could get him in all the way through, it'd be easier.
11:01Then all the others could come through after him.
11:03Can I help?
11:05Thanks, Mom.
11:06I can do it.
11:08You'd better hurry, Mink.
11:09I want you to take your bath before your father comes home.
11:12All right.
11:13He's coming home early and...
11:15Mink?
11:16Mink?
11:21Mink has disappeared behind the shrubs.
11:24Mrs. Morris knew it was ridiculous to make an issue of it.
11:27Besides, what was the issue?
11:30Invasion?
11:31Drill?
11:33Zero hour?
11:34Just a child's game.
11:39Time passed.
11:41Curious, waiting silence came upon the street,
11:44deepening.
11:46And then from the living room,
11:48Mrs. Morris heard...
11:56Five o'clock.
11:58Zero hour.
11:59It had come.
12:00And now it had gone.
12:02But was the clock right?
12:04And Mrs. Morris, knowing how foolish it was,
12:08knowing it,
12:09went to the phone and dialed.
12:11Dialed.
12:15Silly, silly.
12:24The time is 4.54 and 20 seconds.
12:374.54 and 20 seconds.
12:40And Mrs. Morris knew that it wasn't as silly as she had thought,
12:43because it wasn't five o'clock yet.
12:46Not zero hour yet.
12:48Then she heard the car drive up and her husband greeting her daughter.
12:51Hi, Mink.
12:52Hi, Daddy.
12:53How's it going?
12:54Fine.
12:55Got a kiss for me?
12:56I haven't got time now, Daddy.
12:58That's a nice thing.
13:00What are you doing?
13:01We're playing invasions.
13:03Well, your mother in the house?
13:05Yes.
13:06Okay, be good.
13:07I will.
13:08Zero hour in a few minutes, Daddy.
13:10All right, I'll be ready.
13:17Mary?
13:18In the living room, dear.
13:20Hi.
13:22Hi.
13:22Our daughter didn't have time for a kiss.
13:24How about you?
13:27Hi, Dave.
13:29Not particularly.
13:31Would you like a cocktail?
13:32You read my mind.
13:33Martini?
13:34Perfect.
13:36Anything exciting happen today?
13:38No.
13:40Oh, Helen called.
13:41Oh?
13:42From Plainsfield.
13:43I told her she was crazy, but she just felt like calling.
13:46Like you calling me this afternoon.
13:49Crazy, huh?
13:51What was that all about?
13:52I told you.
13:53I wanted to.
13:55Ah.
13:56Hey, incidentally, what's this new game the kid's playing?
14:01Invasion?
14:02That's a nice, depressing thought.
14:04Is Mink all right?
14:06Come to think of it, she looked kind of funny.
14:09Yes, she's all right.
14:11What's the time, Henry?
14:12A couple of minutes after five.
14:14Why?
14:15No, the clock's wrong.
14:16By your watch.
14:17Huh?
14:18Oh.
14:19I've got two minutes, too.
14:22I'm probably slow.
14:24You got something on the stove?
14:26No.
14:26No, I just want...
14:28Honey, hey, um...
14:30Look at me.
14:33What's the matter?
14:34Nothing.
14:35Really?
14:36Now...
14:36Really?
14:38Mink's been up to something.
14:39Of course not.
14:40Then what?
14:41I guess I'm a little tired.
14:42Upset, that's all.
14:44You want to go out for dinner?
14:46No, I've got a steak in the icebox.
14:48Tell you what, I'll barbecue it.
14:50How'd that be?
14:51Fine.
14:52What was that?
14:54What?
14:55I thought I heard something.
14:56I didn't.
14:57I...
14:58I must have been imagining it.
15:00You are jumpy.
15:01Why don't you have a drink?
15:03Do you good.
15:04I don't want one.
15:05What time is it now?
15:07Mary, what is this?
15:09I mean it.
15:11Something's wrong.
15:12Now, I want to know...
15:14It's silly, Henry.
15:15It's so silly.
15:16I...
15:16I'm on edge, that's all.
15:17I...
15:18I don't like it.
15:18That kid's done something, hasn't she?
15:21I'm going to get her in there.
15:22No, Henry, please.
15:23Please don't.
15:24She hasn't...
15:25It's nothing at all.
15:26I just...
15:28What's that?
15:29I don't know.
15:31Those kids haven't got anything dangerous out there, have they?
15:34I noticed a lot of junk lying around.
15:36I thought it was a game.
15:37She wouldn't have done it herself.
15:38They'd made her do it.
15:40What the devil?
15:41Maybe you'd better go out and tell them to stop playing now.
15:44It's after five.
15:45You tell Mink to put off the invasion until tomorrow.
15:47Tell her that...
15:48What are they up to?
15:50I'd better take a look.
15:51Hey!
15:57Good Lord!
15:59It's outside there.
16:00No, it's upstairs.
16:01I know it is.
16:02In the attic.
16:03Mary, Mary, it's not up there.
16:05It's outside.
16:05It's in the attic.
16:06That's where it is.
16:13Her mind had worked that quickly.
16:15Any excuse to get her husband away from the outside,
16:18to get him upstairs to the attic in time,
16:22and outside there were more eerie explosions
16:24than they could hear the children screaming with the lights.
16:27It's not in the attic.
16:29It's outside.
16:30Mink's out there.
16:31What's the matter with you?
16:32No, no, Henry.
16:33I'll show you.
16:33Hurry!
16:37Get inside, quick.
16:45Now we're safe until the night.
16:47Maybe we can sneak out later.
16:48Maybe we can escape.
16:50Are you crazy?
16:51Why did you throw the key away?
16:54For heaven's sake, the kid's out there.
16:56Do you want her to...
16:57Oh, you don't know.
16:58You don't...
16:59We've got to stay here, Henry.
17:00We've got to.
17:01You've got to stay here with me.
17:02I don't know how the devil I can get out.
17:05Where's that light switch?
17:06Be quiet, please.
17:07Be quiet.
17:07They'll hear us.
17:08They'll find us.
17:09Henry, please.
17:11There's that noise.
17:12It's in this house now.
17:15Mary, what is this?
17:18Mary, what's happening?
17:19You know.
17:21Answer me.
17:22Stop that.
17:24Mary, somebody's downstairs.
17:26Who's down there?
17:28Oh, no.
17:28Who?
17:29No, no, no, no.
17:30No, hush, hush.
17:32Please be quiet.
17:34Please, they might go away.
17:36Please.
17:43And between his wife's terror and the electric humming from below, Mr. Morris felt a great
17:48fear.
17:49They trembled together in silence in the attic.
17:52Mr. and Mrs. Morris, parents of a little girl named Mink.
17:57Then they heard steps coming up the stairs in a voice.
18:04Mommy.
18:05Daddy.
18:06Where are you?
18:09And a queer, cold light became visible under the door crack, a strange odor, and the alien
18:15sound of eagerness, and Mink's voice was almost more than they could bear.
18:25And another sound.
18:28And the lock to the attic door melted.
18:37Mink, Mink, with bright little eyes and tousled hair, peered inside and behind her, tall,
18:44wavering blue shadows, frightful shadows.
18:52Peek-a-boo.
19:12Suspense.
19:13Suspense.
19:22You've been listening to Zero Hour, written for suspense by Ray Bradbury.
19:28In a moment, the names of our players and a word about next week's story of suspense.
19:56Third and tonight's story were Francie Myers as Mink.
20:00Ginger Jones as Mrs. M.
20:03And John Gibson as Henry.
20:05Others in the cast included Vivian Smolin and Sarah Fussell.
20:16Listen again next week when we return with The Long Night, written especially for suspense
20:23by Walter Black.
20:25Another tale well calculated to keep you in...
20:30Suspense.
20:34On CBS.
20:34On CBS
20:34On CBS
20:35On CBS
20:35On CBS
20:35You
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