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Die amerikanischen Textpassagen zum deutschen Hörspiel.
Mit "..." wird angedeutet, daß keine geeigneten Textpassagen im Buch
vorhanden sind.
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| Hans's face was pale with shock. He had just offered to move Mr. Barrons'
Mercedes, which was blocking the drive in front of the salvage-yard office. |
| "You will not move the car!" roared Barron. |
| "A truck comes in soon with a load of timbers,", Hans tried to explain
again. |
| "I am sick of incompetents making free with my property!" |
| ... |
| "Mr. Barron", he said sternly, "we appreciate your business, but you
have no call to abuse my helpers. Now, if you don't want Hans to move your
car, you'd better move it yourself. And you'd better hurry because no matter
what you decide to do, my truck is coming in!" |
| Barron opened his mouth as if to shout again, but before he could utter
a sound, a slender middle-aged woman hurried from the back of the yard.
"Charles, do move the car, I'd hate to see anything happen to it." |
| "I don't intend to have anything happen to it," snapped Barron. |
| The woman smiled at Hans. "My husband really doesn't mean to be unkind.
He's got an impatient nature and..." |
| "I can drive a car", said Hans. "For years I am driving for Mr. Jones
and I do not have accidents." |
| "Charles gets so upset when people don't do their jobs well. Sometimes
I wish that the time for deliverance was really here," said Mrs. Barron. |
| "Deliverance?" said Uncle Titus. |
| "Yes. When the rescuers come from Omega." |
| "There's a book called They Walk Among Us that tells about the
rescuers," Jupiter explained to his uncle. "It describes a race of people
from the planet Omega. They are keeping watch over us, and eventually,
after a catastrophe overwhelms our planet, they'll rescue some of us so
that our civilization won't be lost forever." |
| "Oh, you know about the deliverance! How nice!" |
| ... |
| Jupiter grinned. "We've got a bed-tempered customer. But when he isn't
yelling at Hans, he's picking out very unusual items to buy". Jupe gestured
toward the back of the yard. |
| "What a pile of junk!" said Pete. |
| "Maybe they collect antiques," guessed Bob. |
| "I don't think so," said Jupe... |
| Bob looked thoughtful. "His name's Barron, huh? There was an article
about a man named Barron in the Los Angelos Times a few weeks ago.
If it's the same man, he's a millionaire who bought a ranch up north somewhere.
He's going to grow his own food and be self-sufficient." |
| ... |
| "The Barrons are a very odd couple, and I'd like to see their place.
And is Mr. Barron always so angry? And Mrs. Barron – does she really believe
in the rescuers?" |
| "Rescuers?" said Pete. "Who are they?" |
| "A race of superbeings who will rescue us when a great disaster overtakes
our planet," said Jupe. |
| "You're kidding!" said Bob. |
| "Nope," said Jupe, and his eyes sparkled with glee. "Who knows? Maybe
the disaster will hit when we're at the ranch, and we'll get rescued! It
could be a very interesting trip!" |
| ... |
| "You from The Jones Salvage Yard?" he asked. |
| Jupe jumped down from the back of the truck. "I am Jupiter Jones,"
he said importantly. He gestured toward Konrad. "This is Konrad Schmid,
and these are my friends, Pete Crenshaw and Bob Andrews." |
| The red-haired man smiled. "I'm Hank Detweiler," he said. "I'm Mr.
Barron's foreman." |
| "Okay," said Konrad. "Where do you want that we should unload the truck?" |
| "I don't want," Detweiler said. "Our own people will take care of it." |
| As if at a signal, three men came out of the shed and began taking
things out of the truck. |
| ... |
| "You boys come all the way from Rocky Beach to help unload this stuff?"
he said. "But then maybe you're curious about the ranch?" |
| Jupiter nodded eagerly, and Detweiler grinned. |
| "Okay", he said. "If you've got time. I'll show you around. It's an
interesting place – not your usual run-of-the-mill truck farm...We have
our own water supply for emergencies." |
| ... |
| "Enjoy it while you may," she [Elsie Spratt] said cheerily. "Comes
the revolution, there won't be any soda pop." |
| "Revolution?" he [Konrad] said. "We do not have revolutions in America.
If we do not like the President, soon we elect a new one." |
| "Aha!" said Elsie. "But suppose the system breaks down. What do we
do then?" |
| "The system breaks down?" said Jupe. "That's what you're getting ready
for here, isn't it? This place is like a fortress – stocked with supplies
so that it can go through a siege. It's like one of the castles in the
Middle Ages." |
| "Exactly right," said Detweiler. "What we're doing here is getting
ready for the end of the world." |
| "I don't think we're getting ready for the kind of revolution where
we drag the President out," Elsie said. "I think what Mr. Barron has in
mind is a time when everything sort of falls apart and we have famine and
looting and confusion and bloodshed. You know. He thinks the world is really
going to the dogs, and we have to be prepared if we're going to survive." |
| "Mr. Barron believes that gold and land are the only safe investments,
doesn't he?" said Jupiter. "Obviously he expects a collapse of the prevailing
monetary system." |
| Elsie Spratt stared at him. "Do you always talk that way?" she asked. |
| Pete chuckled. "Jupe doesn't believe in using short words if long ones
will do as well." |
| Jupe ignored this jibe. "Do you think our world is coming to an end?"
he asked Elsie and Detweiler. |
| Elsie shrugged. "No, I suppose not." |
| "I think Mr. Barron's the only one who really believes it," said Detweiler.
"He claims the government is poking is nose into places where it..." |
| "Shhh!" Elsie got up. "We were just having coffee. Would you like a
cup?" |
| "No, thank you", Mrs. Barron stepped into the kitchen and smiled
at Jupiter, Pete, and Bob. "I saw you boys come in," she said. "I wonder
if you could stay a bit longer and have dinner with Mr. Barron and myself?" |
| Konrad scowled. "Jupe, it is after five", he said. "We should go now." |
| Mrs. Barron turned to Elsie. "We could eat early, couldn't we?" she
said. |
| Elsie looked startled. "I guess so." |
| There now!" Mrs. Barron smiled again. |
| "That would be well," said Pete. |
| "Don't worry," said Bob to Konrad. "We'll get to San Jose sooner or
later." |
| "Then it's settled," said Mrs. Barron. "We'll sit down at five-thirty." |
| "I do not like this," said Konrad, "I think we should go." |
| "In a little while, Konrad," said Jupe. "Another hour or so won't make
any difference." |
| The annual meeting of the Blue Light Mission will take place here in
August," said Mrs. Barron. She smiled at Jupiter. "You know about that-
you've read the book. ...and if we're lucky we'll have Vladimir Contreas
for our speaker this year." |
| "Oh, yes," said Jupe. "The man who wrote They Walk Among Us." |
| Mr. Barron leaned back in his chair. "Last year ... there was ... a
pimply youth who kept saying 'Om! Om!' until I wanted to hit him." |
| "You went to the convention?" said Pete to Barron. |
| "I had to!" snapped Barron I was unable ... to keep her from inviting
that weird group here this summer." |
| "We should have a large turnout," said Mrs. Barron happily. "They know
that the rescuers are out there watching us." |
| "The only ones who are out there watching us are anarchists and criminals
who want to take over," said Mr. Barron. "Well, I'm ready for them!" |
| Pete looked pleadingly at Jupe, who stood up. |
| "It was very kind of you to invite us," said Jupe, "but we must go.
Konrad is anxious to get to San Jose." |
| "Of course," said Mrs. Barron. |
| ... |
| "Interesting," said Bob, "but not cozy. You said it." |
| Elsie laughed. "A rattlesnake in a rainstorm." |
| ... |
| "Nice people, " said Bob. |
| "Except for Mr. Barron," said Pete. "What a grump!" |
| The truck rumbled down the lane, and when it neared the gate a mile
away it slowed. Then it stopped and the boys heard Konrad open the door
of the cab. |
| "Jupe?" Konrad called. |
| ... |
| "Sorry," he said. "The road is closed." |
| "What's the trouble?" said Jupiter. |
| "I don't know," said the soldier. His voice shook as if he were afraid.
"I've got orders that no one gets past. The road is closed." He shifted
the rifle slightly, as if to draw attention to it. It slipped in his grasp
and began to fall. |
| "Watch it!" yelled Pete. |
| The soldier grabbed clumsily at the gun, a with stunning roar it went
off! |
| "That thing is loaded!", said Konrad, outraged. |
| "It sure is," said the soldier shakily. "We were issued live ammunition
today." |
| ... |
| "Stanford, what do you think you're doing?" demanded the officer. |
| "Sorry, sir," said the soldier. "The gun slipped." |
| "Stanford, if you can't hold on to a rifle, you don't belong out here,"
said the officer. |
| "No, sir" said the soldier. |
| "I'm Lieutenant John Ferrante," he said. |
| ... |
| "Why is the road closed?" said Konrad. "We are supposed to go to San
Jose tonight. We do not have time for the war games that you play." |
| "Sorry, but it isn't a game." Lieutenant Ferrante's voice was tight.
"My men and I were dispatched from Camp Roberts this afternoon and told
to keep all traffic off this road." |
| "We don't plan to block it," Jupe pointed out. "We're going back to
101, and then north to San Jose." |
| "Highway 101 is closed, too," said the lieutenant. "Turn around and
go back up that drive and let us do our job." "I have orders that no one
is to use this road," the lieutenant continued. "It's for your own protection." |
| "Protection?" echoed Konrad. "You protect us with again?" |
| "I'm sorry", said the lieutenant. "Look, I just can't let you through.
And I can't tell you any more than I have because I don't know much more.
Now be good guys and go back up the drive, huh?" |
| "... he may be quite angry when he learns that his guests are being
detained. He might even call Washington. He's a powerful man, you know!" |
| "I can't help that," said the lieutenant. |
| "Okay, okay!" said Konrad quickly. "We go back to the ranch. |
| "I'll follow you in the jeep. I'll help you explain to this Barron. |
| ... |
| "I beg your pardon, sir" said the. "It's not y-y-your road!" |
| "Well, it certainly isn't your road!" cried Barron. "What do
you mean, it's closed? It can't be closed! It's a public highway." |
| "Y-y-yes. sir, we h-h-have orders, sir," the lieutenant managed to
get out. "This afternoon. From Washington. Something h-h-happened in T-t" |
| "Lieutenant!" shouted Barron. |
| "In Texas!" cried the. "All roads in the state have been closed - all
main arteries, sir. No traffic is moving." |
| ... |
| "This is preposterous!" shouted Barron. |
| "Yes, sir" said the lieutenant. |
| "The President," Barron announced. "I'll call the President." |
| ... |
| "Nothing, sir, " said the lieutenant, "except that telephones aren't
working anywhere in the area. Or radios. No radios, sir. Our orders came
by wire from Washington." |
| "No telephones?" demanded Barron. "No radios?" |
| "It is true what he says, "said one man. "The radio, it does not work." |
| Elsie Spratt made an impatient noise. "This is a scene out of a bad
movie," she said. |
| ... |
| "It's the piece the Marine Band plays when the President appears,"
said Barron. |
| "Ladies and gentlemen," said an announcer, "the President of the United
States!" |
| "My friends," said a familiar voice, " I was informed shortly after
noon today that unidentified aircraft have been sighted in parts of Texas
and New Mexico and along the California coast. At this hour we have word
of landings by these craft in Fort Worth, Dallas, Taos and San Francisco.
Let me assure you that there is no cause for alarm. Although communications
in the parts of the West seem to be momentarily disrupted, we have been
in touch with the Kremlin and with other capitals in Europe and South America.
There is no cause for alarm..." |
| "You already said that, you dolt!" snapped Barron. |
| "Various military units have been called out." the voice went on, "and
we ask that all citizens cooperate with these units. Please keep tuned
to your local civil defense so that strategic surface routes will not be
obstructed." |
| "Idiot!" said Charles Barron. "Infernal idiot! How he ever got elected!
On the radio for ten minutes and he told us nothing! Absolutely nothing!" |
| "Mr. Barron, he as good as told us we're being invaded," said Hank
Detweiler. "An invasion! By someone who has cut our communication lines!
We're .. we're alone here! We can't reach anybody to find out what's going
on outside!" |
| "Communists!" shouted Charles Barron. "Anarchists! I don't believe
there were any aircraft! They've grabbed the radio stations! They're trying
to frighten us into surrender! I'm going to drive into town, " he announced. |
| "I have orders, sir," said the lieutenant. N-n-no v-vehicles on the
road." |
| ... |
| "You get off my land, he said. "I have guns and I'm going to post guards
along the perimeter of the ranch. Trespassers will be shot, do you understand?" |
| "Yes, sir" said the lieutenant. |
| "I don't know what to think", said Jupe. "When we left Rocky Beach
at noon, everything was fine. Now, only a few hours later, we have no electricity,
the radios don't work, and the telephone is dead. The President has made
a speech about strange aircraft,... and there are soldiers patrollingthe
road so that we can't drive away." |
| ... |
| "Why would Barron's men stop us if we go over the fence?" Bob asked
reasonably. "Why would they bother? Doesn't Mr. Barron just want to keep
people from coming in?" |
| "Probably", said Jupiter, "but if Barron's guards see us, they might
make some noise that would attract the attention of the soldiers." |
| "Well, would they care?" said Bob. |
| "But suppose it isn't really military vehicles the lieutenant is concerned
about, " Jupe countered. "Suppose what he really wants to keep the staff
of Rancho Valverde bottled up?" |
| "You sound like Mr. Barron", said Bob," said Pete, "and I think he's
nuts!" |
| "Perhaps he is, but I feel he's right about one thing," said Jupe.
"The lieutenant's main interest is the ranch, not the road. |
| ... |
| "Jupe!" cried Pete. "Look!" |
| ... |
| "Holy cow!" said Pete. "A flying saucer!" |
| ... |
| "Charles!" she [Mrs. Barron] said excitedly. "Did you see it?" |
| "I'm not blind, " said Barron. "Whatever it was, I saw it. Hank! Rafael!
John!" Barron pointed toward the northern cliffs. "We're going to see what
in tarnation is going on!" he announced. |
| "Mr. Barron?" Lieutenant Ferrante leaped from the vehicle and started
toward the ranch owner. "Are you all right?" he said. "What happened? We
saw the fire!" |
| "I will keep you informed of all developments that concern you," snapped
Barron. "In the meantime, take yourself and your jeep off my property." |
| "Charles!" exclaimed Mrs. Barron. "Really! You needn't be so rude!" |
| "I'll be as rude a I choose, Ernestine," said Barron. "Lieutenant,
I'm waiting." |
| "Hank, you and Rafael and John and I will go to the upper meadow and
see what in the name of fury has been going on there." |
| "Yes, Mr. Barron", said Detweiler. |
| "Get a rifle for each of us, and make sure they're loaded. |
| "If we want to know what really happened up there, we'd better beat
Barron and the others up to the reservoir," Jupe told his friends. "Barron
might just decide to keep the facts to himself." |
| Pete gulped. "Jupe, those guys have rifles." |
| "Barron just promised not to shoot anyone," said Jupe, stretching the
truth. |
| "But Jupe," pleaded Pete, running after him, "we just saw a flying
saucer! There might be aliens up by the dam!" |
| "All the more reason for us to get there first!" said Jupe. |
| Pet groaned but followed along with Bob. |
| "Careful!" warned Jupe |
| Bob took a step backward. "Jupe!" he said. "Pete! Hey! There's something...
something here!" |
| "Oh, no!" exclaimed Pete. "A body! Is he... is he alive?" |
| Jupe leaned close to the still body of a man. "Yes. He's still breathing." |
| "All right!" Charles Barron shouted. "Hold it right there! One move
and I'll blow your head off!" |
| "Mr. Barron, this man is hurt," Jupiter called. |
| "...and some of his hair's burned off! De Luca!" exclaimed Barron.
"Simon de Luca!" |
| "What happened?" asked Detweiler... "Do you remember seeing anything?
Flames? Smoke? Anything at all? |
| "Nothing," said de Luca. He put his head in his heads. He cried. "My
hair! What is the matter with my hair?" |
| ... |
| "Well?" she [Mrs. Barron] said. "What happened? |
| Barron snorted. "That sniveling excuse for an officer has a field telephone,
but it's like everything else around here. It isn't working." |
| "Of course not," said Mrs. Barron happily. "When the rescuers are in
our atmosphere, they're able to disrupt our electrical field." |
| "Ernestine, you don't even know what an electrical field is!" cried
Charles Barron. |
| "No, actually, I don't", she said. "But it's terribly important, isn't
it? When extraterrestrial visitors cause the field to stop functioning,
everything stops - the radio, telephones, cars, everything!" |
| "Our car still works," Barron pointed out. |
| "Perhaps the interference isn't complete," said Mrs. Barron. "When
the visitors return, it will be complete." |
| "And when will that be?" Barron asked exasperated. |
| "They will let us know," she replied. She went up the steps into the
big house. |
| "What gives?" asked Pete. |
| "Would it be very difficult for someone to imitate the President's
voice?" he [Jupiter] finally asked. "And would it be hard to get a recording
of the Marine Band playing 'Hail to the Chief'?" |
| "You think this a hoax?" asked Bob. |
| "I don't know. But it makes me think of a famous radio broadcast that
I once read about. Pete, your father works in movie studios. Did anything
happen today that couldn't be duplicated by a good special effects man?" |
| "N-no", said Pete after a second. "I guess not." |
| to be continued... |
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