 Can you predict what will come in 100 years? Can you see beyond the known dimensions of time and space, into the unknown dimension X? The Red Stars spread 200 light-years across space. To the passengers on the immigration spaceship from Earth, they appear to be pinpoints of light in the darkness. The men, women and children slept in their bunks in the pure dormitory, or sat reading the immigration folders that describe the worlds of the Red Stars in glowing, rosy terms. Anne Travis stood before the vision port and searched for the spot of light which would be her new home. Can't tell which is which, can you? Well, I asked the steward for mine. There it is, you see? That nice, bright little star up in the left-hand corner? Uh-oh. Is that one? Yes. Alka-3. I'm going to meet my son there. He sent for me. Harry always was a good son. I used to say to my husband just before he died, Harry is a good son. I'm going to Dory Dora 3. My sister's there. Oh, isn't that nice? It's a wonderful thing for a young girl like you to start life way out here. I used to tell Harry's father that if he had any spunk, he'd be out on the Red Stars making a fortune. He was assistant buyer at Bloomingdale's kitchenware. I see. Maybe if I asked the person, he could point out Dory Dora 3. Would you go ahead, dear? You've paid your fare like everybody else. What did you say your name was? Anne Travis. Well, I'm Lottie Elders, Mrs. Harold E. Elders. Of course, I don't use Harold's name now. Are you all alone? Yes, my folks died last year. That's why I'm coming out to live with my sister. Oh, you poor child. Travelling halfway across space with nobody to talk to. Attention. Attention, all power. Oh, there it is. I just know it. You are now within the Red Star Quadrant. The trip is almost over. Of which son, every passenger of this ship will be left. I want to keep talking, Mrs. Elders. Mrs. Elders, they can't get away with this. I've got to meet my sister. But what can we do? I don't know, but I'm going to find out. I'm going to see the captain right now. 436, cargo holds 112 at premium rate, including... I want to see the captain. Oh, look, I'm busy now. What kind of an outrage is this? I'm going to join my sister on Dory Dora 3. That's where I bought my ticket for, and that's where I'm going. Vote or no vote. That's what you think, lady. I'll call you back, Jerry. I want to see the captain immediately. Do you hear? Not sure right here. Perfect in both ears. That's the meaning of this. What are you people trying to get away with? We're not trying, Sister. You're in space now, kid. We don't go by Earth's eyes, Red Tape. But my ticket... Oh, you can paste that in the scrapbook. That's all it's worth. Where you're going, kid, fortunes are made and lost every day. The rich stars are wide open in what the big operators say goes. At least this is waiting for me. Oh, sure. Get tired. That's a game, kid. And you're there. The folder said you were encouraging immigration. Oh, sure, sure. But all the improvements in Earthside working conditions in the past 50 years were to prevent wholesale immigration to the rich. That's why we have to cut the price of the tickets below cost to suck you immigrants out here. Why did you lie? Why won't you take us where we want to go? It's simple, kid. The only way to make a profit is to dump each shipload in one place. This cargo goes to Delphi, too. But the analysis said there was going to be a vote. Oh, sure. But we've got it rigged, so Delphi, too. It's simple, isn't it? Oh, it's not so bad. Delphi, it's okay. We're farming. Great work. Especially for a kid like you. How would I get to my sister? She's expecting me on door, door three. Can I take another ship? Not where you're going. What do you mean? Look, baby, space travel is an Earthside monopoly. They own the patents on the rocket power that makes space travel possible. Now, the rich government offered a prize for a new kind of power that wouldn't infringe on Earth's rocket patents. But until that drive is developed, you just won't get off. Can't travel to another planet? That's right. There isn't any public transport, and only a millionaire could afford a private ship. You mean I'm just stuck? Mm-hmm. Like a fly on a fly. Hey, where you going? Back to my bunk. I want to lie down. Wait a minute. I'm afraid you can't leave here till that boat is taken. Why not? Well, I'm a kindly-type friendly fellow. I always give a straight story to anybody, but that means I've got to keep them under wraps. So you'll stay right here till we land on Delphi? I'm sure I don't know. Harry, he's my son. You know he'll be just a friend. I'll wait for you right here. Oh, be sure you do, dear. I'm so frightened. Oh, which way do I go? Oh, the east side is over there, see? Oh, I don't have my distance glasses. You will... All right, you, come on. Who are you? Never mind. Come on. Grab her out. Come on. Let's go with me. What's the idea? Let's go! Get her! Who are you? Chance is out. Pull her out right now. Come on. Sit up. That's a motor-driven face-dissolver mask. I've read about them. I've never seen one. Who are you? That's why I'm wearing a mask, because I don't want you to know. But they must be... Look, lady, quit babbling. Now, all you're into is you're pretty and intelligent-looking. But why? You're going to make a thousand stillers for yourself, whether you like it or not. Now, stop looking like scared rabbits. You can't do this. I'll call the police. The police? What do you know about the Red Star government? Obviously. Right here, things are different. Now, listen. You go to the New Sal Hotel. As soon as you're registered, you go to the Fair Play Employment Agency. There, take care of it. Now, take this. It's a tape for you. Play it back in your room. It'll tell you what to do. After it's played once, it'll destroy itself. Is that clear? I don't understand this at all. Have you ever heard of the seven-day poison? I don't think so. It's an interesting device. It feeds on the blood. On the seventh day, undergoes a chemical change, and... very easy to use. You just inject it like this. It's all over... for seven days. The beauty of this poison is it can be made to look like a lock pattern in many thousands of small variations. The only antidote must be some of the original poisons at the base. And I have that. Now, get hysterical. I'll keep the antidote here. You can get it after you've done what I want. But I don't know where I am. Police can't help you. I have the antidote to the poison. All right, I'm through with her. Take her out and drop her at the hotel. The other one is dope. When he's unconscious, push them, come with him if you wish the antidote to the poison. After that, you'll be transported to any rich star you wish. As soon as you play this reel, go to the Fair Play Employment Agency. There's no time to waste. Tomorrow, the seven-day poison will have only six days to go. Why do they have to pick me? He's got seven days. One thing. Yes, Mr. Marcoson? You did arrive just yesterday on that immigrant ship from Earth. Yes, sir. And this is your first job, not only on Delphi, but on any planet other than Earth. Yes, sir, that's right. We'll check that, of course. In the meantime, we can go up to see Mr. Blort. You'll be his private secretary. Please. You see... Did I say what? Never mind. Nothing. Have you heard of Arthur Blort before? Not exactly. You would if you'd been in the rich stars longer. Amazing, man. Amazing. We'll wait here for the elevator. He must be very important. Important? There are names out here that they've never heard of back on Earth, and the greatest name is Arthur Blort. Really? In less than ten years, he's made himself an astronomical fortune. Astronomical. Here we are after you. What's he like? You'll see. Very dynamic, sharp. He outsmarts the big shots, the planetary operators. They exploit all worlds. He exploits them. They hate him. They hate him. The rich star operators. Well, here we are. Come along, Mr. Travis. Mr. Blort is waiting for you. This is Anne Travis, her record and references. Not interested. You check them. Margrison? Get out. Yes, Mr. Blort. Mr. Travis? Yes, Mr. Blort. Chromium field on transient four. Value 100 billion stellar, just plain slogging. Let somebody else do it. 7. Forest. All treasure wood. Priceless. Dennis Carey operator. Hard, cruel, brilliant. Shouldn't be interested. Delphi too, aren't you? Yes, Mr. Blort. I like new cities, new planets. They're soulless. They have no culture, no institutions with hardening of the arteries. Yes, Mr. Blort. Now I came out here as a wiper in an Earthside liner and jumped ship at transient four. That was ten years ago. He couldn't do that on an old world. Earthside, they develop the science. Out here, we use it. The developments today aren't in science. You don't believe that, do you? I'm not sure, sir. Will there be any more dictation, Mr. Blort? No, that's all. Don't leave yet. Mind if I smoke? No, no. Like a cigarette? I? Sir? I asked if you like a cigarette. Oh, thank you, but I have my own. Oh? Earth cigarettes? Would you mind letting me have one? They're very rare out here. Of course. That's an interesting case. Ejects two at a time. Here, Mr. Blort, take one. Thank you. Haven't smoked one of these in years. Light, Miss Travis? Thank you. Drop the lighter under the desk. I'll get it. Sit back in your chair. It shouldn't be down here. Oh. I'm sitting in that wired chair and I just threw the switch. There's something funny about her from the beginning. The pickup needle from her chair was jumping like a kangaroo and when I mentioned cigarettes, it practically blew a fuse. Hmm? That's what I want to find out. Why she should be carrying dope cigarettes. I want her examined. The full hypnotism treatment is necessary. I want to find out who sent her. I want to know who's gunning for me. That's the best I can do short of a full-length narco-analysis. You sure about that seven-day poison? Absolutely. She's got less than six days. And she was right off the immigrant's ship. This is the first time I've had a plant. Somebody found out I hire him fresh from Earth. I've got her memory track on that face-to-salver mask. It was Delaney. I thought so. But he isn't working alone. It's that gang working for the prize on new space drive. I got into the competition two weeks ago and I guess they're afraid of losing the money they've put into research. What about this kid? She's got six days to live and I wouldn't take any bets that they try to save her if she doesn't deliver the goods. They wouldn't even save her if she did. Delaney wouldn't want witnesses. Doc, set everything up the way it was before she went under. What are you going to do? I'm going to let them take me. Wait a minute. They're liable. I know what they're liable to do, Doc. You take care of the girl and leave the rest to me. Okay, it's your funeral. Maybe. Now, let's revive Miss Travis. You set up the projectors. Come on, hop to it. We'll set now. When you reverse the field, she'll come too and she won't even know anything happened. Do you remember exactly what you were doing when you knocked her out? Sure. I was looking for the lighter under the table for that dope cigarette of hers. Well, I'll be going. Good luck, Artua. You'll need it. I'll be seeing you, Doc. All right, Miss Travis. Now, let's take up where we left off. Oh, I felt faint for a minute. Did you find the lighter? Yes, yes. Thank you. I haven't had a good drag on an earth cigarette in years. It's... I'm stronger than I am. But the coal is mine now. Let's see the brown knob on the case. The same sure affects them. What? It won't matter. The boss gave orders. What's the difference? These two are dead, Doc. What do you mean? You think the boss will give you that antidote? He promised. Al, he promised. Did he really? But did he give his scouts honor? You know, spent twice and crossed his heart. Please, please stop it. What will happen to him? Well, Lord, you got me. The last three guys I brought over here ended up in the disposal unit. You mean they'll kill him? Wouldn't be surprised. Oh, no, no, they couldn't. They don't play for marbles out here in the rich stars. But the police... It's just like Earthside, Sister. Please take their cut and arrest a couple of spindle strips every night to make it look good. Lord was playing around with some pretty big men. He knew what he was getting into. I didn't think they'd kill him. I didn't know anything about the rich stars. Oh, that's tough, lady. Real tough. Press your straps. I'm taking her down. How you coming with Lord? I gotta spring the voice lock. Combination. One, three, alibi, Peter, uranium. These things never work. One, three, alibi, Peter, uranium. Get his feet straight. Now I'll throw the clamps. You steer me a little too. Right, boss? They're off his sleeve, Al. All set, boss. We have to keep on the best. I got a cold. No, I think we can do it out of them. Shut off the power. Now to business, Lord. We represent 90 companies. We've entered the Ridge Government Contest to develop a space drive that won't infringe on Earthside patents. No. Well, Delaney, I've got news for you. Unless one of you has a power drive 25% faster than an Earthside rocket, you're licked. What do you mean? No, Delaney, you said it. Quiet. Can't you see he's trying to get us arguing? When I heard some of the low-speed, you boys were... Shut up! Two weeks ago, you entered the contest. We know your reputation. You can't afford a failure. Your whole financial structure is a block. We know you have the drive. Lord, you better save time. Tell us now, what's your space drive run on? Twisted rubber band. You'll force us to extremes, Lord. Get that girl out of here. No. No, I go with me. She's coming too, huh? That's nice. Stay up on the top. You want the top coat? No. Neither do I. Just the card I wanted. A pleasure, I'm sure. Look, you've got to tell me. Are they going to kill Mr. Bloor? Look, lady. A, you are interrupting a very important card game. B, you're a better off if they do kill Bloor. Let's face it, kiddo. You crimped them good. Crimped them? You think he's going to like you for doping them and getting them into this mess? Lord's a tough guy. When he first came out to the ridge, he killed three men in the mining camp over on Trenchin when they double-crossed it. Sure, if he ever gets out of this, that wouldn't bet a lead slug on your life. I'll go with ten. Tough luck, sonny. I got three. I'm doubled for spades. Yep, if Bloor gets loose, I wouldn't want to be in your place. But I, I didn't understand. I don't think Bloor will sympathize. They're the cards. Well, yes. I'll make a deal. Now, look. We form a joint stock company. Introduce signs over his patent rights to the new firm, and we split the shares. You get my space drive. I get 25%. Delaney runs the new company. The whole deal to be publicized if you wish. Lord, when this gets out it'll ruin you. It'll despise you when they find out how much dirt you've eaten. Well, I didn't have much choice, did I? Tell the part of the deal. You got me here through a certain young lady. Now, we could dispose of her. No. No, I think I'd like to do that. I'll take her as part of my 25%. Any objections, Delaney? No. Just be careful. Get rid of her clean. We don't want any mess left around for the rich government to find. What are you going to do with me? You promised me. Did I? Get rid of her, Bloor. Only make it clean. Loosen your strap now. We're on automatic. Where are we going? Back to Delphi, too. I didn't understand what they were going to do. I know. I didn't realize. I'm sure you didn't, Miss Tralys. What are you going to do? I'm going to pay you off. Let go of my arm. One small injection. No, no, no. I mean to die. For you to. Very funny. That was the antidote. The antidote? The seven-day poison Delaney gave you. I got it from it before we left. Young lady, I knocked you out in my office and had your mind examined. I knew just what you had done. I came here because I wanted to. You're not angry with me? Certainly not. Besides, everything turned out my way. Your way? But they forced you to give them the drive. You signed away the right. I'm a percentage man. Let them do the operating. Besides, it was their drive in the first place. Their drive? Yes, it's simple. I knew that after the contest, there'd be a merger of research, so I merged it before, instead. Wait till they discover they signed away their own patent rights. I don't think they'll feel like laughing then. But to give Delaney control of the new company. Well, don't you see, I had to get him to go along. He had the antidote to your poison. What about me now? Look at the vision port. Now turn up the scale. That's the ridge. You can have your pick. Name your world, and I'll take you there. You said your sister was on Dorydora III. Yes, but... But what? I wonder if the opportunities for advancement aren't greater on your planet, Mr. Blower. You know, Miss Travis, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they were. In a single gigantic rocket ship. You'll find out more about it next week on... The E.M. Hull. Featured in the cast were Elaine Rost as Anne, and Les Tremaine as Arthur Lord. Your host was Norman Rose. Music by Bert Berman, engineer Bill Chambers. Dimension X is produced by William Welch, and directed by Edward King.