 The Mutual Broadcasting System presents The Mysterious Travel, written, produced, and directed by Robert A. Arthur and David Covey. And starring tonight, two of Radio's foremost personalities, Leon Janney and Marilyn Erskine, in The Big Brain. This is The Mysterious Travel, inviting you to join me on another journey to the realm of the estranged and the terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip and it will thrill you a little and chill you a little. So settle back, get a good grip on your nerves, and be comfortable if you can. As you hear the story I call The Big Brain. My story begins in one of the manufacturing plants of the Worldwide Business Machines Corporation. In one wing of the plant is housed the huge laboratories of the company. Where newly designed and experimental calculating machines are built and tested. It is evening and the vast laboratory with its long rows of intricate looking machines is deserted except for a young university professor, Leicester Dewitt. Tall, lanky, and in his early 30s. Dewitt stands before a massive machine that dwarfs all others in the laboratory. Swiftly, efficiently, he presses tabulating keys on the control board, oblivious of all else. 3.521 to the eighth digit. 74.3 to the third digit. 74.56 to the fourth digit. Is that you, Professor Dewitt? Oh, yes, Pop, I'm at The Big Brain. 6.527 to the fourth digit. I brought you a visitor, Professor. A visitor? Julia! I'm glad to see that you at least remember my name. Of course, Professor, I'm not supposed to allow anyone in here but our engineers and university people, like you said. But I figured seeing you on hers and gay. Thanks, Pop. That's all right. Joy seeing young people get together. Oh, Julia, I'm terribly sorry. I forgot completely. Were you waiting long? Only a half hour. By then, I realized I'd been stood up. Oh, well, honestly, Julia, I had no idea it was so late. I decided to run a test at 5.30 and then be finished by 6. 6.30 at the latest. If you could only see your face. So, and you, you aren't angry with me. No, no, I'm not angry. I'll just have to accept you for what you are. An absent-minded professor. Well, so this is my arrival. I've never seen such a huge machine. It weighs over 50 tons. 50 tons? That's right. The staff here at the plant college is the big brain. It's the only one of its kind in the world, Julia. Lester, those thousands of keys are levers. Do you know what each one of them is for? Well, yes, of course. Oh, look at it. Do you realize that the big brain can calculate elliptical integrals? Was that good? Good. Why, a human mind has never been able to solve the elliptical integrals. There have been no methods of solution, but this machine can. Oh. The big brain, Julia, can solve in a few seconds a problem that would take a scientist a lifetime to work out. There's one thing your big brain can do, professor. No? What's that? It can take this racing sheet and talk about the winners of tomorrow's races. Still playing the horses, eh, Pop? Yep. Not doing so good, either. Well, I got to make me rounds. Nice talking to you, young folks. Good night, Mr. Collins. Good night, Pop. Good night. Oh, I really should be jealous of that machine, Les. A certain light appears in your eyes when you speak of it. Sometimes I think that you care more for that. But you really don't believe that. No, not really. Hey, look. Pop left his racing paper behind. What are you looking through it for? Well, I've never read a racing sheet before. Ah, it's interesting. Very interesting. You know, this racing sheet is a treasury of facts. Why, in each race alone, there are over a thousand facts to be taken into consideration. Yes. Now, Les, you aren't going to spend the rest of the night studying that paper, are you? I had always been inclined to think that horse racing is a matter of sheer luck. That isn't so at all. Look at all the information that's available in this paper. I can't understand why Pop thought the big brain couldn't calculate the winners of these races. You mean you think it could? I see no reason why it shouldn't be able to. In view of all these facts we have on past performances. Mr., you aren't serious, are you? Of course I am. Would you like to try it as an experiment? An experiment? Yes. We'll put all these facts through the machine. Oh, this I have to see, by all means. All right. First, it's a matter of learning what all these abbreviations and symbols stand for. Then... Yes? It's merely a matter of your reading the facts on past performances, and my pitting it to the machine. Going away, $9.50. Flying Ghost. Flying Ghost. October 5th, 1949. Belmont Park. Three-year-olds and up. Claiming. $5,000. A mile and an eighth. $120. Jockey Riker. Track Fast. Post Position Fourth. Start Sixth. Quarter Fourth. Half Fourth. Three-quarters Third. There we go. Half Fourth. Three-quarters Third. Third. Mile Third. Stretch Third. Finish Third. Two Lengths. Two Lengths. Driving. $5.20. $5.20. That does it. Eight races. Now that you've given all the facts to the machine, what's next? I pull this lever and the calculator goes to work. Good for you. How long does it take? Just a matter of seconds. You really think it'll work? Work? Of course. Unless the machine breaks down. And as you can see, it's working perfectly. Yeah. The solution has been attained. Where is it? I merely have to pull this lever and it will be printed on a sheet of paper and ejected at this point here. Watch. There. Let me see it. First race, winner, yet a dear. Place, speeding folly. Show, Quaker girl. And it has the results of the other races as well. Naturally. And these horses are the winners? Oh yes, no question of that. Tomorrow night we'll buy an evening paper with the racing results and you'll see for yourself. Les. Yes? If you're so sure that these are the winners, why not make a small bet on the first race? A small bet? Yes. Bet two dollars to win on yet a dear in the first race. Then if yet a dear wins, as you say she will, put all the winnings on the second race, then the third, fourth, fifth. But I couldn't do that. Why not? Well, it wouldn't be ethical. I'm here from the university as a guest of this company. Oh, now let's stop being stuffy. We've been saving for a year now to get married. If the machine is right, we can win enough money to buy all our furniture. Who knows? Maybe even a house. Oh, I'm sorry, Julian. I'm afraid I couldn't. Oh, why are you so stubborn? Who could it possibly harm? Think of what it would mean to us. Yes, I know. Please don't. Pardon me. Where can I make a $2 wager? All right here, friend. What's your pleasure? My pleasure? Oh. Oh! Well, I, uh... I'd like to bet on yet a dear in the first race at Tyler. Two bucks? Yes, please. Right here. Yet a dear paid $6.20. Here you are. Thank you. I'd now like to bet $6 to win on morning glory in the second race of Tyler. $6 on the nose of morning glory. That's right. Okay, you're covered. Come in, Professor DeWitt. Come in. I'm Victor King. Well, how do you know who I am? It's my business to know the names of the people who patronized my establishments. All right, Steve, that'll be all. Okay, boys. I'll be outside. Wait. Well, I understand, Professor, that you selected the winners of Eight Straight Races. And that I owe you $24,250. Yes, that's right. You'll find that I'm a businessman who pays off promptly. A thousand dollar bill's be all right? Yes. Yes, of course. Tell me, eight winners, what are you attributed to? Oh, just luck. Luck, eh? Hmm. Here you are. $24,250. What's wrong? I lose something. Hi, my wallet. I can't seem to find it. Oh, yes. Your wallet. I have it here. Hmm? Must have dropped it a little while ago in the racing room. One of my men found it and turned it over to me. Naturally, I had to go through it to find out who the owner was. Oh, yes, I, uh... I suppose so. Besides $17, there are a number of things in it. Driver's license is a state university faculty card of password admittance to the technical laboratory of worldwide business machines. And this sheet of paper. Oh, uh... Oh, yes. That. Very interesting, Professor. Has listed the selection of win-place-and-chose for today's Eight Races at ILEA. Strangely enough, every horse on this list came in exactly as selected. How'd you explain that, Professor? I don't have to explain it. Now, if you'll be so good as to return my wallet and everything that was in it... I'm sorry, Professor, but I'm afraid you'll have to play ball whether you want to or not. What do you mean? Sit down, Professor, and I'll tell you. Sit down, Professor. Yes. That's it. Oh, it can really depend on the business. And then, Julia, he showed me pictures that had been taken of me in the racing room. Half a dozen of them. All showing me making bets. Oh, no. Yes. Quiet. Why, he even had a camera hidden in the wall of his penthouse office, which filmed everything I said and did up in that penthouse. But he was just laying a trap for you. Yes, he certainly was. But you didn't tell him how you'd gotten the winners of the races today? No, but I think he suspects. He found my wallet and in it, the pass to the laboratory of worldwide business machines. And he saw the sheet with the names of the winners printed on it. And he demands that you give him the winners of every day's races? Yes, yes. It's blackmail. Pure and simple. He has all the evidence he needs. But, Lester, if you were to go to the university officials, the president of worldwide business machines... It would be the end of my academic career. You know how the university is about such things. They'd regard my use of the big brain as dishonesty, worse. It's all my fault, all my fault. It was I who made you bet on those horses. Oh, no, no. Nonsense, darling. If I really hadn't wanted to, you couldn't have made me. Lester, what are you going to do? What can I do? I've got to supply King with the winners. If I don't, he'll expose me. Ruin my career. What about a cigar, professor? A drink? No. I'm feeling good. Really good. Three days in a row, all the winners at higher layer. Yes, sir, I'm feeling good. By the way, I'm putting your share of the winnings aside, professor. And now I'm out to 46,000. You can have it any time you want. I told you before, I don't want any part of that money. My purpose in coming here was to explain to you that I can no longer go on with it. You can't go on with it. Why not? How can I expect you to understand the matter of ethics? Ethics? You can't. All I'm interested in is money. Now, listen to me, professor. You're going on supplying me with winners. We're playing this out to the finish. The... finish? When will that be? I'll let you know. Now, today is Monday. I'm figuring out flying out to San Anita in a few days with a big handicap on Saturday. I want you to dope out the winners as soon as possible. I'm figuring out making a real killing at the track. I won't do it. Now, professor, we don't have to go over that again. Yeah, I see we do. Okay, professor, I'll put it on the line. Straight, no crimmings. Sit down. This might take a little time. Away 15. 47 flights. A, 22 flights. B, 10 flights. C, 9 flights. E, 6 flights. Total 47. Lester, so here you are. I've tried to find you everywhere. Oh, hello. I was at the university. Then I thought I'd come here. Did you see Victor King? Yes, I saw him. What did he say? I mean, when you told him you were through with him. He said that isn't the way he plays ball. It seems I have to play his way. Or else. Oh, Lester. Mr. King is a master of blackmail. What are these hundreds of books? What are you doing? These are flight records of a different airline What are you doing with them? I'm entering these records into the big brain. Trying an experiment. I don't know whether or not it'll work. What kind of an experiment? I'm attempting to find out if the big brain, given all available flight information, can determine the date and time of a future plane crash. A future plane crash? Yes. But why? Victor King is going to fly to California in the next few days. As yet, he hasn't decided what flight he's taking. Well, what has that got to do... with? Why not? What else can I fight back with? Maybe this whole experiment is crazy, but if the big brain can determine future plane crashes, and if one is due to occur within the next five days, I'm going to do my best to see to it that Victor King is on that plane. That's what you're doing is insane. Maybe. But you must listen to me. You've got to go to the university officials and make a clean rest of things. I'm sure that they'll... There. The solution has been attained. Let me see it. Flight 106, universal airlines, 430 p.m., New York to Los Angeles, crash 631 near Canton, Ohio, February 24th. February 24th. And King wants to be in California Saturday for the races. Lester, this information... it can't be right, can it? It's a law of averages, Julia. Scientists, given all the facts, can work out an approximation of accidents. The big brain has the ability to pinpoint facts, calculate them to a degree beyond the human mind, and reach a definite conclusion. You mean... there's no question about it. Flight 106 will crash February 24th. The big brain hasn't been wrong as yet. So, there's always a first time, of course. But less if there's a possibility of that plane crashing. We've got to go to the airline and warn them. If I went to them and told them gentlemen, I believe that Flight 106 on February 24th is going to crash, what do you think they would say? They have me placed under mental observation. But less if that plane crash is killing innocent people, you never forgive yourself. What's going to be will be. I can't prevent that which is ordained to happen. And you're going to try to see to it that Victor King is on Flight 106. Yes. Come what may. I've got to make sure he's on that flight. Hello, Professor. This is Victor King. Yes, Mr. King. It's already Wednesday afternoon. Why haven't I received the winners of Saturday's races at Santa Anita? I'm afraid I can't have them for you until Friday afternoon. Around four. Why not? I've got to have last minute scratches and other information to be able to calculate the winners. Friday afternoon. It doesn't give me much time to get to Santa Anita. Why don't I meet you at the airport Friday afternoon at four o'clock. There's a 430 plane to California. Flight 106. Get you there at midnight. Flight 106. There's 430. That sounds all right. Then I'll meet you at the airport at four o'clock. Good. I'll be expecting you. Don't worry, King. I'll be there. There's the gate for flight 106 straight ahead. Mr. I wish you wouldn't go through with it. Won't you please go to the airline tell them that there's a chance 106 may crash. I told you, Julia, they only think I was insane. I'm quiet. There's King standing with the gate to his bodyguard. Hello, Professor. You're running it rather fine, aren't you? It's already 425. The plane's ready to leave. I was delayed by traffic. Here's the list of winners for tomorrow's races. Good. Walk me to the plane. I want to talk to you. All right. Hey. Big race tomorrow. I tell you, isn't the winner? That's right. Oh, this is perfect. Perfect. Honey will be on site station. Will we clean up? Oh, passengers, please get aboard. Sure thing, honey. Professor, I've got a little surprise for you and your girlfriend. Surprise? Yes, that's right. Me and Stevie are taking you with us. We're going to show you the time of your life. Yes, sir. But we can't go. I have classes. What are you talking about? This is Friday. We'll have you back by Monday, and I'll get aboard. But we haven't any clothes. Yes, you have. I brought along clothes for both of you. Everything's been taken care of. You two are going. We have to carry you aboard. No. No, I won't go. Well, I want a great trouble to fix up this trip. When you're gone, get her on that plane, Steve. But can't you understand? Oh, stop. Let me down. I don't want to go. Let her go. Tell him to put her down. Come back. Junior. Okay, students. They're going aboard. Tell the pilot we're all set. Let's go. Time's up, Junior. Stop asking me the time every minute. I just told you. What do you do? Don't you like flying? You've been sitting on the edge of your seats ever since we took off. Yeah, you think they were going to a funeral instead of California. And the best time they ever had. I can't stand this much longer. You've got to tell them. It's our only chance. Tell them? Yes. Maybe you're right. King. What is it, Professor? Come a little closer. I've got something to tell you. Sure. What is it? This plane. It's going to crash at 631. Crash? What are you talking about? You hurt me. The plane is going to crash. I like that joke, but that's not funny. It's not a joke. Can't you see that he's serious? How do you know the plane is going to crash? The same way I found out about the winners. The big brain. If you aren't leveling with me, I'll... Guess you are. You're scared. Really scared. I'm getting scared, too. Why'd you let us in for this? You must have known before we got on this plane... Oh, I get it. You didn't figure on me taking you along. Of course, we've got to do something. I'll settle with you two later. Come on, Steve. What are you going to do? You'll see. Have you got ready, Steve? I'll make it the pilot, set us down, but fast. Yes, yes, sure. Here's where we take over. I'm sorry, sir, but passengers aren't allowed up here. Steve. A gun? Yeah. Listen, bright boy, you and your little playmate here are going to set this plane down but fast. What for? Because I say so, and I don't argue. Land this plane. It feels 20 minutes away and it can't... Shut up! Set it down now. This minute, make an emergency landing. You must be out of your mind. Steve, count to five. If he doesn't start putting down, give it another copepilot. Right. One, two, three, four. Okay, you're calling it. Steve, give me a read. Speed 240 MPH, altitude 4,500. As we come over this mountain, there's a large field. We'll try to set down on it. Roger. We've got to get down. Oh, yeah, come on. Put this plane down. Mister, if you want to take over, just say the word. Give me a reading, Pete. Speed 255 MPH, altitude 2,000 feet. It's getting dark fast. We better circle the field a couple of times. I'll cycle just fine. Pete, give it to the passengers over the PA. Roger. We are now preparing to land. Passengers are asked to remain calm. Please fasten all safety belts. You two guys better go back to your seats fast. Your belts are going to be a rough landing. Yeah, but it's all the same. You'll stay right here. Well, we can keep an eye on you. It's yourself. You don't mind if Pete and me strap ourselves in, do you? Cut the chatter and land. Give me a reading, Pete. Speed 230 MPH, altitude 800 feet. Flaps down. Flaps down. Landing gear down. Landing gear down. Landing lights on. Landing lights on. Reading. Speed 180 miles. Altitude 500 feet. 145. Altitude 200 feet. Speed 135. 125. 115. 95. Down. 80. 70. Bob, there's a drainage ditch across the field. Take it up. Too late. Hang on. Julie, where are you? You're in a hospital. You've been unconscious almost three hours. But the doctor says you'll be up in a few days. Wait. The plane crashed. Yes. Julie, are you all right? I'm just checking up, Julie. But to King, what about him? King and his bodyguard, Steve, were killed. Killed? Yes. When the plane crashed, they were up front without safety guards. Anybody else killed? No, a half dozen were hurt, but they're all here. So King is dead? Yes. That means we're free, Julia. He was the only one who knew about the big brain, the way I was getting those winners. Yes, Ness, we're free. Strange. The big brain picked the winners, but it was wrong about the plane crash. Wrong? Yes. After all, the only reason the plane crashed was because King forced the pilot to make an emergency landing. You're overlooking just one fact, Lester. Why? The plane crashed at 6.31 p.m. The exact moment that the big brain said it would. How do you explain that, Professor? Young Professor DeWitt had a good deal to ponder about while we were coming to the hospital. Would a plane crash have occurred if Victor King hadn't forced the pilot to make an emergency landing? Or was that the crash the big brain predicted? It's hard to say. But one thing is certain. Professor DeWitt, for some strange reason, has lost all scientific interest in the big brain. Oh, that reminds me of next week's story, The Dark Underworld. It's about a strange old man who lives half his life in a maze of sewers beneath the streets of Manhattan, and he discovers... Oh, you have to get off here, I'm sorry. I'm sure we'll meet again. I take this same train every week at this same time. You have just heard The Mysterious Traveler, which is played by Maurice Tarplin. In the cast were Leon Janney, Marilyn Erskine, Santos Ortega, and John Marley. Original music was composed and played by Al Finale. This is Bob Emmerich speaking. All characters in our story were fictitious. And any resemblance to the names of actual persons was purely coincidental. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.