The Vast of Night (2019) Movie Script
You are entering
a realm between
clandestine and forgotten,
a slipstream
caught between channels,
the secret museum of mankind,
the private library
of shadows--
all taking place on a stage
forged from mystery
and found only on a frequency
caught between logic and myth.
You are entering
Paradox Theater.
Tonights episode,
"The Vast of Night."
You and the family
headed to the game?
No, just me.
Patricias with the kids
over in Hobbs.
Hobbs, huh? Good thing
were not playing them.
Boy, aint that right.
See you at the game.
I dont want to light
my next cigarette, Benny. I got
one here thatll do the trick.
Mrs. McBrooms
looking for you.
Why?
Im not sure why.
I was at supper.
Ingrids sister was giving you
the top to bottom.
No, she wasnt.
Oh, yes, she was.
In her car.
With Millie when
I was walking up.
Great damn dogs,
what was that?
Thats why they were calling.
Make me feel better, Benny.
Make me feel better.
This is not good.
Arlos under the stands
figuring it out. Last time
it happened, it was a squirrel
that had bitten through a wire,
but the wire was still
in the mouth of the skeleton.
So is this the lights
or the electric? We cant roll
if its flickering.
I dont know. I was at supper.
How many times you gonna
tell me you were at supper?
Now-- Sam, whats barn
buzzards buzz, man?
I dont know.
Its just blinking in there.
Lets plug it in.
I havent had
anything to test it.
Lets figure it out.
Come on, plug it in.
Okay.
Be careful.
If it electrocutes you,
youll stop growing hair
and never get a date.
Oh, tune out, man.
Go find Mrs. McBroom.
I will, but I dont like
that tone, Sam. If its blinking
when you start recording,
stop recording, or Ill have
one of them Buell brothers
come beat the water out of you.
Everett. Hey.
Mrs. McBroom is looking for you.
Renny, up in the stands
with his horn.
I know. Benny told me.
-So what does she want?
-I dont know.
Shes just walking around,
asking everybody,
"Wheres Everett?
Have you seen Everett?
Whens Everett getting here?"
That tells me nothing, Renny.
Go sit down with your horn.
Matter of fact, give it to me.
Theres something wrong with it.
I used to play trombone.
Everett!
Can I bring you
my tape recorder so you can
show me how it works?
I dont know what you said, Fay.
You sound like a mouse
being eaten by a possum.
Renny, give me your horn.
Can I bring you
my tape recorder
so you can show me how it works?
Yeah, sure, Fay. Renny, now.
Great!
Why?
Drop it down now, Renny.
You cant hurt it.
What am I gonna do, Renny?
What-- Drop it down now.
Come on. Come on.
Yeah. There. Good boy.
Hey, where are you going?
Everett! Everett!
Bye, Renny. Bye, Renny.
Arlo told me to bring you down.
Why? Where is he?
What for? Down where?
Hes in the locker.
I dont know what he wants.
They dont tell me anything.
They dont listen to me.
He just said,
"Go grab Everett."
I dont know whats going on.
I just got here.
Im not gonna be able to help.
I got H.H. at 7:00, so--
I know that.
He just
doesnt listen to me.
Come tell him
for yourself.
I told them to turn the power
off during the tornado,
but they dont listen to me.
Last time this happened,
it was a squirrel that
had bitten through the wire.
Squirrel still had
the wire in his mouth.
Yeah, Benny told me.
And we had a rat gnaw
through the scoreboard wire.
Did you know that?
No, I did not know that.
Uh-huh.
And an owl made his home
in the library attic,
so we had all these
critter bones
laying around the crawl space
where we keep the marching band
uniforms. Helen Trank had
a bat skull in her pocket.
- Hold it.
- Why are you here?
Whoa! No, no, wait.
I did that. I did that.
Arlo, get out now!
Hold it.
Hold it, hold it, hold it.
Whats Everett doing here?
You told me
to bring him down here.
No, I didnt.
Yes, you did.
I did not.
You told me.
I said bring Emmett down here,
not Everett.
Emmett. Emmett.
I asked you specifically
if you wanted
Everett from the radio.
Emmett doesnt work
at the radio?
Everett works at the radio.
Arlo, if you dont need me,
Im gonna get back out.
Did Emmett never work
at the radio?
No, its just me.
Emmett works
at Santa Mira Mills.
Hes an electrician.
Now, hold on just a minute.
Emmett worked at the radio.
Wait, wait, wait.
You told me
to bring him down here.
Do you want us to record
over that last game?
And Renny wants his horn back.
I know he does.
Thats why I took it.
Did you get the reel? Because--
Every game use
the same reel. Its in the back
of the recorder. Ill show you.
Are you gonna give Renny
his horn back?
If he stops being bad news.
I mean, someones
got to spank his ass.
Oh, Fay, you meant right now?
Is that okay?
Uh, can you walk?
Yeah.
Just let me
look at this for them.
Found it. So we just use
the same reel as last time?
Same reel each game.
But thats gonna cause
some cross talk eventually.
Right? I mean, wont it?
Read the Bible, Sam?
Yes.
Theres your answer.
Answer to what?
Answer to everything.
But that doesnt--
Yeah, eventually.
But no ones gonna buy
a tape for every game.
If its a problem, Ill ask
Mr. McKean. Maybe hell buy
you some new ones.
But its not gonna make
a difference now. If power
goes out, you stop recording.
Im not buying
another one of those.
You said that.
-Whats the tale, nightingale?
-Whats all the fuss?
Why you got Rennys horn?
Whoa, whats this?
I didnt know youre in band.
Why arent you up there playing?
Oh, I cant do pep band.
I work the games
so Ruth can watch them,
since Greg made varsity.
Why do you have Rennys horn?
Cause he needs to be punished
for being Renny.
Wait, youre working?
What about, uh,
Rita Cope or Winifred?
Winifred works nights in
San Mirial. Rita Cope quit.
She works at Zebs now.
Okay, so clue me in
about this lunch box.
This is the Westinghouse?
Yeah, its the one
you told me to get.
Ah, whered you get it?
Montgomery Ward catalog.
Play something.
What have you recorded?
Well, nothing yet.
I mean, I didnt wanna
mess anything up.
You havent recorded anything?
No, I didnt wanna
mess something up.
You have a brand-new
tape recorder. You havent been
curious to push a button?
Ive been so curious.
I just didnt want to--
Im nervous.
Are there batteries in it?
Yes.
Then press record.
Pull out the mic.
On the side,
are the wheels spinning?
Yes.
All right, then talk.
What do I say?
Try this.
Raise your right hand.
Say, "Im not now,
nor have I ever been, a member
of the Communist Party."
Im not now, nor have
I ever been, a member
of the Communist Party.
Around Dodge City
and in the territory out west...
Theres only one way
to handle the spoilers
and the killers,
and thats with a US marshal
and the smell of gun smoke.
Brought to you by L&M filters.
That was good.
You want to hear it?
Yes.
All right, okay.
Hey, coyotes!
Yeah.
Those guys know me.
Im Everett.
I like those guys.
This is Fay Crocker.
Its not recording nothing.
I know. Its just, Ive never
held a microphone before.
Im practicing.
I did not tell you to practice.
Told you to shut up.
Im not shutting up.
Its my recorder.
That was good. Thats how you
got to be when were recording.
That was queen of Cayuga.
You 500-Watt Fay.
This is Fay Crocker.
This is Fay Crocker.
I have never, up until now,
held a microphone.
...one way to
handle the spoilers and the
killers, and thats...
Isnt that a charge?
Its a large charge.
Press record.
Start going again.
Is that how I sound?
Yeah, thats how you sound.
Thats 100% Cayuga queen.
Press record, roll tape.
What are we gonna record?
Cool it, Clyde. Theres plenty
to say. Follow me. Lets go.
Im here with Fay Crocker,
horn player and recording expert
at Cayuga High School.
Now, what would you like
to tell us about yourself, Fay?
Uh--
I dont know.
Come on, its spinning, sister.
Lets bake biscuits.
Uh, this is Fay-- Wait.
What does that mean?
Well, it means to record,
make records. You--
You need a cigarette.
Everyone smokes
with a microphone.
I dont wanna smoke right now.
Dont cramp the cool.
Its just something to hold.
Its like a prop.
Itll make you more confident.
Now, give me your horn.
Im not allowed to let
anyone carry my horn.
Why?
If it gets dropped,
I have to pay for it.
School owns it.
No sweat. Lets go.
Uh, bacon, bacon, 940.
What is that?
I heard it in a war movie.
They dont say "bacon,
bacon, 940" during a war.
Well, maybe were thinking
about different wars.
No, no, this is not war radio.
You gotta say
something buzzin.
All right, hold it.
Walk over there to the Olivers.
Well interview them.
Everett, no! Thats--
Thats a terrible idea.
Thats not fun at all.
You have to answer
questions before
we let you into the game.
Well, hello, Everett.
Wh-- What is this?
Whats going on?
Were recording interviews.
I have Cayuga winning by eight.
-What are your thoughts
on the game?
-Need a light, Fay?
No, Im just holding it like
people do with microphones.
Ask him a question.
I cant.
Youre making me nervous.
Its just a question.
Ask anyone about anything,
doesnt matter.
Oh. Did you know that
a squirrel bit through
the wire in the gym?
-I did not know that. Tonight?
-Oh, I knew that.
It wasnt tonight. It was
when Clem was still teaching.
Now ask her to tell you more.
Tell me more.
It was actually a chipmunk.
A chipmunk. That was it.
Hold the mic out to her.
-Tell me more.
-I dont know any more.
Ask her what
her feelings are on chipmunks.
Whats your feelings
on chipmunks?
Well, theyre cute
so long as they stay
out of peoples cars
and houses and hair.
- That was good.
Ask her if she wants to hear it.
-You wanna hear your biscuit?
What? My biscuit?
Yeah, we made a biscuit.
No-- Its not called a biscuit.
But you said
we were baking biscuits.
A recording is not a biscuit.
Whats this for?
Is this going on the air?
No, youre not--
What kind of question is that?
You tune into the radio
to hear a family
talking in their car,
while theyre eating?
No, I guess not.
No, yeah, you dont.
No one does.
Theres your answer, unfiltered,
brought to you by me.
Honey, you are too funny.
Whered you get this bit?
It comes with the recorder.
You should try it.
All you got to do
is hold the microphone
up to your mouth.
Hey, Daisy.
You old enough to be
going to basketball games?
Yes.
I dont know--
I think you gotta be
at least five years old.
I am five years old.
Well, look out now.
Good thing for that.
If you werent,
Id have to take you home
and go to bed early.
Have fun at the game.
I like your haircut, fuzzy duck.
Thanks for including us.
Have a good night.
Bye!
- Press record,
start talking about something.
-What do I say?
Give me your horn.
No.
Im not gonna drop it.
Take the mic out.
Take it out.
Good. Now, whats your
favorite subject in school?
Arent you
some big science girl?
Yes.
All right.
Tell me about science.
Be careful with my horn
or else youll have to
deal with Mr. Pike.
Did you know that Robby Ritter
set his horn behind the car
and they backed over it?
Thats good.
Did you know that
Robby Ritter set his horn
behind their car
and they backed over it?
Sorry, whats that?
Hello, Fay.
Hi, Mr. Stemmons.
Whats this?
Is this a school project?
No, Everetts just
having me ask people questions
and record them
on my tape recorder.
Well, its broken.
What?
Its not turning.
It stopped working.
How? Its brand-new.
I dont know what happened.
Im sorry.
Im sorry, Mr. Stemmons.
Well record you another time.
Thanks for stopping.
Well record you another time.
Thats okay.
You guys have a good night.
- Can we fix it?
- Shh. Its not broken.
Mr. Stemmons is a nowhere man.
Hes a full-on pale one.
We had to get out
of that conversation.
So its not broken?
No. You cant waste tape, Fay,
not on a tombstone
like Mr. Stemmons.
Double-dealing devil-dog.
That had me so scared.
You know I paid for that
with my own money.
You can always do that
if someones a wet rag.
Tell them, "Its broken.
Well have to reschedule."
Then you just never reschedule.
Well, I cant
do that to someone.
Oh, yeah, you can.
Why not?
Cause its lying.
Its not lying.
Its stopping someone from
embarrassing themselves.
Not if you dont make them
feel embarrassed.
Putting up the numbers means
you got to get
what you want out of people,
not be afraid to cut them off
or tell them to shut up.
Im not putting up any numbers.
Im sorry, you two.
Im gonna need to see
a license for that.
Oh, this aint
no shotgun, Pappy Fred.
And youre lucky it aint.
Cause youd all be dead.
Talk to her.
Hey, ask them a question, Fay.
Okay, about what?
Uh--
Well, now Im nervous again.
What is this?
Its a tape recorder.
Ask if they ever heard
"bacon, bacon, 940" before?
Bacon? What are you--
Bacon, what?
I heard it in a war movie.
Now, hold the mic
to your mouth.
Have you ever heard
the phrase "bacon, bacon, 940"
in a war movie?
Now to his mouth.
I think you mean
"breaker, breaker."
Thats what it is.
See, I was close.
Whoa, cut the gas, cube.
You were a mile wide.
Do you have
your own show now, Fay?
Yeah, she does.
Its called
Teenage Rendezvous
and her radio name
is Cayuga Queen.
She takes requests and tells
stories of young love.
Thats a great idea.
I should get my own show.
All right, start studying
for your license.
And learn
how to ask a question.
What license?
A radio license, FCC.
You going to the game?
No.
We gotta work.
Oh, of course.
You do such a good job,
honey.
Hows your mother?
Did Fay tell you
about the Grimaldis?
-About their dog
getting electrocuted?
-No. Ask Fay.
You need to stay out of
Fays business, Marjorie.
Its not Fays business.
Its the Grimaldis business.
She knows the whole business.
Just make sure you turn off
that tape machine.
Oh, well do exactly that.
-Shut your mouth, Marjie.
-Oh, look out now.
I didnt say anything, Fred.
I could appear in court,
put my hand on a Bible--
Start walking.
This is marriage problems.
-Come on.
-I didnt say anything.
In front of God and everyone?
Yeah, I am.
And you rock
Around the world
You rock, rock, rock
Tell me the word
on the Grimaldis.
I dont talk about
other peoples business.
Then come up with some
other way to fill up
this tape recorder.
I cant.
I just get so nervous
and I dont know what to say.
Although, I was
enjoying it back there
when we got going,
asking them questions.
Its just you and me talking.
Tell me the craziest
caller you ever had.
Oh, I know what I can tell you.
Not about a caller, but about
some science I was reading.
Can I tell you about that?
You certainly can,
Fay Cordelia Crocker.
Thats not my middle name.
I know it isnt. I dont care.
I mean, I didnt know,
but I definitely dont care.
What else you got in there?
Uh, just my mouthpiece
and some hairpins.
Hairpins?
Yeah. My mom says you can
stash hairpins anywhere,
and one day youll be
glad you did it.
Geez, thats weird.
I just read about this,
and I think its boss.
Dont make me feel
like a fool for liking it.
I would never.
Come on, let me have it.
Razz my berries.
All right, did you know
that there was actually
an experiment done this year,
in Lincoln, Nebraska,
for a radio-controlled car?
By RCA. Like a full-sized one.
Whoa, lay dead.
Yup. Its called
"electronic highway control."
And this article says that
theres a series of circuits
buried in the pavements with
little lights connected to them
so they can communicate to
the car through radio control
and take over steering
and braking. Its crazy.
Whoa, whoa, wait.
This is an experiment?
They already did this?
Mm-hmm.
In Lincoln, Nebraska, in April.
You press a button
on the dash of the car
that says "electronic drive,"
and the car starts
to drive itself.
Thats incredible.
Yeah, I know.
And get this--
Well, actually, two things.
First of all, it can tell
if theres a car stopped
up to a mile ahead, and itll
slow traffic automatically.
Like all cars at once,
like a school of fish.
And two,
it doesnt need eyes to work,
so if your visions bad
or if its raining cats and dogs
outside or if your headlamps
wont work too well,
then the car still works.
Oh, and a voice
will come over the radio
and give you directions.
So if youre on the highway
and your exits coming up,
or if you need
to switch highways,
a voice will literally interrupt
your radio and tell you
that your exits approaching
so you can get back
behind the wheel
and take control again.
I know that was three things,
but when I read this,
I was like, "Wow, really?
Can all this really be true?"
And it is.
Its 100% true.
Tested in April this year,
Lincoln, Nebraska.
This articles in this
Science Digest, this issue.
A voice comes through
the radio, tells you
what direction to go?
Its in this article. Read it.
Does it say
when this is gonna happen?
1974. And by 1990,
all roads will be electronic.
Oh, really?
You dont believe me, do you?
Youre just pulling my leg.
No, Im not
pulling your leg.
I love it. Im interviewing you.
Im playing a part.
I just remembered
two more stories.
Do we have time to do those two?
Absolutely we do.
Lets fill it up.
Well, if you like that,
brace your brain for this.
Theres this article
about these tubes--
You tell me all about it.
All right, hold on,
cause you got to be able
to look past all these ads
and this squirrelly
beginners stuff.
Hold on, cause
I wanna read it to you
the way it was written,
cause I want it to have
the same effect on you.
All right, here you go.
So, "Picture a man
in New York City,
in Times Square.
And he walks down a set of
stairs into a subway tunnel,
and he boards a train car.
And he stows his suitcase
in a rack over
his head and sits down.
He starts reading a book.
And about an hour later
he feels the train
coming to a stop.
So he gets up,
gathers his things,
grabs his suitcase,
puts on his hat,
steps out of the train,
heads up some stairs
and comes out
at the Golden Gate Bridge."
What? Whoa.
How is that possible?
I know. Isnt that crazy?
So the train travels
between 2,000
and 5,000 miles per hour
in these tubes,
all across the country.
Thats how its all gonna be.
Its called
vacuum tube transportation.
All these tubes
crisscross all of the world,
so were gonna sit in cars
that run through the tubes
like hot dogs
through a garden hose.
Wait a minute.
Its gonna be everywhere
by the year 2000.
Wait a minute--
Its in this article here.
Wait a minute. Hold on.
Does this mean that the whole
other thing wont happen?
The radio cars and the highway?
No.
I think thatll be
for shorter distances.
This will replace things
like trains and airplanes.
Oh, is that so?
Yeah, I think so.
Like, even over oceans?
I think.
Hmm.
Actually, I dont know.
It doesnt say.
All right, looks like
we got time for one more.
Are you ready with your
third story, Miss Crocker?
Yes. Hold on.
Actually, do I have time
for two more or just one?
No, just one, Im afraid.
Come on.
All right, well--
Im gonna end with this one
because my mom doesnt think
this is ever gonna happen,
and she said they just
say things like this
to sell magazines.
What an intriguing setup, Fay.
Please, go on.
Okay. Well, in the future,
every baby will be assigned
a telephone number at birth
and itll be his for life.
And well all have
palm-sized dials, like
a clamshell with no receiver.
Or... well, I guess
well have little speakers
and microphones instead.
And on one side,
youll have the dial.
And on the back--
the back will be
a Lilliput screen, so like
a miniature television screen.
And you can keep it
in your pocket, so you can
call your friend in Rome
or New York or anywhere
and see his face on your dial
and have a conversation,
in color.
The screens
will be in color.
Which magazine is that?
Modern Mechanix.
This articles
a couple years old.
But, oh, it also said
that if you call your friend
and he doesnt answer,
then you know theyre dead.
What? Why would you
know theyre dead?
They always have it with them
so they can always answer.
I dont believe that.
What? Here, you can see
a picture of it.
That sounds like a space novel.
I know.
I think I agree
with your mom, you know.
Shes a wise keeper.
I believe the train tubes
and the highways,
but the tiny TV telephones,
thats cuckoo.
All right.
Hey, its been fun.
I gotta run. Tune in.
All right? Tune in.
I will. Thank you.
Oh, look out now.
I got my tape recorder.
Whats that?
I got my tape recorder.
Thats right. Is that it?
Yeah, its the Westinghouse one.
And me and Everett
just recorded ourselves
all the way over from the gym.
You got the one
he told you about?
Yeah, listen.
...Rome
or New York or anywhere
and see his face and have
a conversation with him...
How neat, Fay.
He is such a fun boy.
He said when you record,
its called "baking biscuits."
-"Baking biscuits"?
-Yeah.
- Well, Ill be.
-Yeah.
Did you get a look
at those Pocasset boys?
Just for a sec.
They were getting off
the bus. They were tall.
Oh, no. Really?
Yeah.
They got a bunch
of Indian boys on their team,
about four or five of them.
I think theres
a couple of families, like four
or five brothers or cousins.
Probably means theyre
gonna beat us like a drum.
And I dont mean that
because theyre Indians.
When they put on their jerseys,
they looked like grown-ups.
That means were gonna lose.
Hey, were the lights
flickering in here at all?
No. Why?
Oh, just cause they were
flickering over at the school.
Arlos working on it though.
Last time,
when I was still teaching,
it was a squirrel.
Bit through a wire.
All right, Im off.
Oh, the line to San Mirial
has got a permanent signal,
so its skunked, so if you
wanna plug that out, it would
let Fran and Judith know.
Okay, bye.
Number, please?
Number, please?
This is WOTW radio
in Cayuga, New Mexico,
and this is the news
for the hour.
Boeing has introduced
its new line...
Number, please?
the incident was caused by,
and I quote...
Number, please?
Hello?
...top-secret concept.
Name of city, inward.
Hey, Winnie. Its me.
Can you tell me if youve ever
heard this sound before?
You ever heard that?
Let me let some of
the other ladies listen.
Okay.
Listen, Winnie,
I got another call
coming through,
so Ill call you back
a little later.
Number, please?
Hello?
Hello?
Listen, maam, can--
can you disconnect
and then try again?
Its all...
Were calling--
Its a strange,
large object holding
over my land off of a--
...like a tornado--
...swirling faster.
Please, send the police...
Maam,
is this an emergency?
...because theres something
in the canyon.
Can you tell me
where you are?
Were going in the cellar.
Hello?
Hey, Josie, listen.
Its Fay.
Is Officer Pruitt
or Boker around?
Hes not here
and Mr. Pruitt left with him.
Well, they didnt answer
at the station.
No ones at the station?
They were here, but a trucker
just reported something.
What?
He didnt say.
It whipped the wind up
and made him spill
his truck, so avocados
are all over the road.
Is Officer Abbott around?
Off duty?
Isnt Judy cheerleading?
Yes, but I havent
seen him.
Can you try and find him?
He probably left with
Mr. Boker and Mr. Pruitt.
Whats going on?
I dont know.
Probably nothing.
Listen, Josie, I got
another call coming in.
Can you let me know
if you hear anything?
Okay. Bye.
Name of city, inward.
Winnie, we got
a call coming through,
and the same sound
came from her line,
but I-- I couldnt get
her name or anything.
She didnt sound hurt.
What should I do?
Winnie?
Winnie?
Winnie?
Hello?
Ethel, hi.
Are you listening
to the radio right now?
No, I was watching TV.
Can you turn
your radio on and tell me
if you hear any kind of sound?
Like what?
Like...
something that just came in
through the board
a couple minutes ago,
and I wanted to--
It went away.
I just wanted to see if it--
Just call Everett.
I dont wanna
disturb him on the air.
Dont be shy with him.
He doesnt care if you call--
Ethel?
Ethel?
Hello?
Grace, hi.
Can you run over
and check on Ethel and Maddy?
I tried the Van Ortons,
but theyre at the game.
Im afraid everyones
at the game right now.
Who is this, now?
Its Fay.
Oh. My lands.
When I cant see a face,
my perception gets pickled.
Can you go check
on Ethel and Maddy?
I suppose so.
Is everything okay?
Im in the kitchen
with my hands in
a ball of cookie dough.
I think so.
Its just-- I called Ethel
and the line got cut.
Were having a lot of
connection issues.
Well, lets see.
Can I get my hands washed off
and my cookie sheet in the oven?
Or do you need me to go now?
I can go now, but I might
dirty up the doorknobs.
You can wash your hands.
Whenever you get the chance.
Im sure its fine.
Wheres your mother?
Shes working nights.
Oh, I remember her
telling me that.
Sorry for calling you so late.
I tried Gertie Van Orton,
but theyre at the game.
Everyones at the game
right now.
Its not a bother.
Let me get this finished up,
and Ill go check
and Ill call you back.
Its Ethel babysitting?
Yes.
All right.
Give me a few minutes.
All right. Thank you.
Bye-bye.
Mm-hmm. Bye-bye.
Oh, and there it goes.
Spinning away.
Jimmy Rain and Crocs
with their crankin song
"Hoppin and Cookin."
Youre listening to Everett
"the Maverick" Sloan,
and the show, as you know,
is Highway Hits,
brought to you
by Santa Mira Mills
and Cloverbloom Honey,
with a co-sponsorship from
our business of the week,
the Udder Stand,
providing the whole valley
with the coldest confections
and the sweetest slurgs.
We know its a busy night
out there for everyone
with the first game
of the season and
a valley rivalry at that.
But just remember,
during basketball season,
the Udder Stand closes
for the games and reopens
after for one hour
for those who need
a little late night snack
before you start
driving your tanks home
and piling up some Zs.
Thats the word from the bird.
Its a silent night in here
when the Statesmen are playing.
But for the five of you
out there listening,
jump on the horn,
give us your dedications,
and let everyone know
youre out there.
We hope you stick around and
follow us till the sign off.
WOTW time now,
12 minutes past the hour.
Look out now.
62 degrees outside.
Stick with our station
and get lost in our sounds,
coming at you now
starting with Gabe Gunton
singing "Screamin Scooch"
here on Highway Hits.
This is WOTW, Everett
"The Maverick" Sloan.
Everett, its Fay. Im sorry.
Please dont be mad at me.
I thought you were a caller.
Im sorry.
I knew youd think that.
Please dont be mad.
Is it about
the tape recorder?
No, a sound came
through the board
and interrupted
your radio show.
I dont know. Its never
come through over here.
Interrupted my show?
Yeah, through the radio.
Whatd it sound like?
I dont know. I can
connect you through.
Did it sound Mexican?
No, it didnt
sound Mexican.
We cross signals
with this station in Mexico...
It sounded like something
that could be unsafe.
We had this lady--
Whoa, why? How?
Nothing sounded different here.
How long ago was it?
Right at the beginning
of the news.
Are you mad at me?
No, but I dont know
what you want me to do.
It was probably your radio.
Can you listen to the sound?
Is it the same sound you
heard interrupt my show?
Yeah, mostly.
They came through
on top of each other.
All right. Connect it.
All right.
Ive never heard that
before.
Yeah, me neither.
And then this lady called.
She said there was something
going on out of town
and she was going down to her
cellar and then that sound
came through on her line.
Then I called Ethel
cause shes babysitting Maddy,
and her line got cut.
And when did you say
my show got cut into?
Right at the beginning
of the news.
I didnt hear it,
but its a closed circuit,
so if it went out
from the station,
itll be recorded on playback.
So you stay on the line while
I rewind it and play it back,
and Ill let you know
if I hear anything.
Okay.
This is WOTW radio
in Cayuga, New Mexico,
and this is the news
for the hour.
Boeing has introduced
its new line of...
That was it.
What?
That was it.
It came through
just like that.
Ill be.
What? Why? Is it bad?
Thats a good question.
If its foreign or code,
the Air Force
will be coming to town.
Really?
Oh, yeah.
Will we get in trouble?
We havent done anything.
Yeah, thats true.
Okay, yeah, yeah,
thats true.
Send me that signal again
and Ill put it on the air.
If anyones listening,
maybe theyll know something.
And you sure
we wont get in trouble?
I dont care.
This is good radio.
Okay, Im doing it.
Here, Im sending the signal.
Dont call me for ten minutes,
unless someone calls in.
I dont want false alarms.
Watch your clock. Ten minutes.
I understand.
Ill wait for the calls.
Here you go.
There it was, just like
I said it would be.
That was Gabe Gunton,
followed by "Crazy Waves"
from The Golden Glows.
Its 7:18 here at WOTW.
Listen up, we got
a quick query for anyone
that wants to take a crack.
Weve got a sound that
seems to be sort of bouncing
around the valley tonight.
And wed like
to know your thoughts.
Were standing by the phones
and wed love to know
if theres an old expert
or youth ham operator
we dont know about thats
tangling up our antenna.
For the caller who can
help us out and tell us
what the sound is, weve got
a free piece of Elviss carpet,
pulled directly from
his floor in Memphis.
Lines are open.
Please call
with any information.
Passing off
with a little handoff.
Another little handoff.
And a third one.
And looks like--
Oh, there it is.
Hes gonna get the ball
and take it down the court.
And hes gonna go
and hes gonna pass the ball.
Another pass. And looks like
hes gonna go for the shot.
No. Hes gonna hand it off.
Okay.
Got to--
Theres the shot.
And two more points.
I think he can make it
from anywhere.
Passing off.
There it is.
- We got a caller.
-Put him through.
- Hes from out of town.
He might know something.
-Then put him through. Please.
Sir, we are connecting you now.
Hello, sir.
This is Everett Sloan.
Can you hear me?
Hello, yes. How are you?
Im good.
Can I get your name?
Yes, my name is Billy.
Billy. Okay.
Thank you, Billy.
And I need to tell you first
we dont allow any swear words
or inappropriate stories
on the air
or I could lose my job.
I dont have a delay and I wanna
put you right onto the air,
but I need you to promise me
that were safe in doing so.
Of course. I understand.
I dont swear or talk
like that anyway in my life.
Okay, Im breaking the rules
to do this, so please, you know,
be honest and ask
if something needs to be
discussed off the air
and Ill go to a break
or put on a record, all right?
Okay. I can do that.
We are going
on the air here shortly,
in three...
two...
one.
Were back. Sorry to cut
that last song short,
but we do have a caller here
who may know something.
Now, Billy, would you mind
telling us all what you know?
Yes, I have a story
that might be helpful.
I dont know, it may not be,
but Ill go ahead.
All right, Billy.
Well, were listening.
Well, so I was,
uh, in the military,
and there were always jobs
and work we didnt know
anything about.
What do you mean?
I mean
we would get assigned
to places without
knowing where we were,
to do things
none of us understood,
which is normal
in the military.
And one night, I was
woken up by my superior.
He had me get into uniform
and report for duty.
Then a carrier plane landed
and they loaded me up by myself.
We made, uh,
several more stops,
picking up other guys.
Then we, uh, flew
for at least two hours.
And when we landed,
they loaded us up into a bus,
but this one had all
of the windows painted black
so there was no telling
where we were going.
Then when we arrived,
it was, uh, still
desert scrubs and flatlands.
But, uh, there were
tents and tunnels
and underground labs
or test bunkers or something.
And I pretty quickly
got briefed
by some officer
Id never seen,
and he told us everything
we were seeing was classified
and if we ever spoke about it,
it would endanger America
and they would know.
And we were all sent
to this rocky,
kind of sandy alcove,
and they had us
start digging a square hole
with their
digging machines and such.
And we built walls out of blocks
and a concrete floor and such.
And we built windows
that connected
to a viewing room
and ventilation.
And they had us sleep
in this room filled with cots,
war supplies, all underground.
Then one morning, we woke up
and reported to duty,
and there was something
enormous in that hole,
covered in a tarp.
Wh-- What do you mean?
Uh, it was bigger
than an airplane,
but no one
was allowed to see it.
And there were guards
surrounding it all day.
Well, whatd it look like?
Mostly smooth,
but it looked
broken or damaged,
cause there were
some rough patches.
You think it was American?
There was no way to know.
Uh--
You dont ask
anything like that.
We want to know just like
anybody wants to know
about somethin.
But you trust your superiors
and you follow orders.
But this one...
worried me.
And why is that?
Probably cause
it was so secretive.
So what happened next?
Well, we built the ceiling
over this thing, carefully.
And then when they
were done with us,
they got us all
boarded on a plane.
And when the propellers
had started spinning
and we were about to take off,
and the radio started
playing this sound.
What sound?
The same sound
you just played tonight.
You sure it was the same?
Oh, I couldnt forget it.
And when we finally took off
and I looked out the window,
you could see guys were
starting to cover the airstrip
with dirt, like
we never been there.
And then the sound disappeared
and we got further away.
And when I got back, then I
started getting really sick.
And in the next few weeks,
I developed
some kind
of lung condition.
So now I didnt breathe so good.
And I think whatever--
that area of the desert
caused it or something.
Maybe radiation.
Cause I was
always healthy.
Then I got time
at the military hospital.
And then a couple years later,
I saw one of the guys
who had been on that detail
with me in the desert.
And I asked him
if hed got sick afterwards,
and he said he had.
And then he told me that
that was the second time
hed been picked up
for something up like that.
And he told me about a night
when hed been
commissioned in Nevada
and he was taken
to the Colorado River
where there was a river barge
carrying something
twice its size down the river.
And when they got
several hours down the river,
there was a makeshift station,
and they unloaded the cargo
onto two Army trucks.
And when they got done
loading it up,
the same sound we heard
out in the desert
also went through
all of the radios there
on the ground and on the barge.
And then he said
the two Army trucks
drove off into the night
and the sound
faded with them.
So did he know what it was?
No.
But since our
detail in the desert,
hed asked around
and hed heard
about another guy
that knew about the noises.
So we met up with him
off-base,
but he only knew pieces.
Everybody only knows pieces
in the military.
Nobody knows
the whole thing.
And thats
part of the plan.
Which is why
they pieced together teams
from all over the country
and only brought us in
for one task at a time.
So no one would
know everything.
Wait, Im sorry.
Youre gonna have to be clearer.
Is this sound
a military sound?
Thats what we asked
this guy at Walker.
And what did he say?
He said
it wasnt military.
It wasnt military
from any country.
It was coming from
thousands of feet higher
than anything could fly.
How did he know that?
Cause he was
a radar operator.
So are these signals frequent?
No.
Can I ask-- Im assuming
this was before Sputnik.
This was
years before Sputnik.
And signals like yours
have been caught
going back and forth.
What do you mean?
Like communication.
Like one says something here
in this part of the sky
and another
says something back.
Sometimes
they were recorded
at Sputnik heights
and sometimes
just a few hundred feet
off the ground.
Where?
Lots of places.
All over.
What do you mean all over?
Billy?
Billy, I--
think we lost you. Billy?
Well, for the five of you
out there listening,
it looks like we lost Billy.
Let me work on getting him
back on the air.
Im back in a moment.
Fay, what happened?
I dont know. He got cut.
Thats whats been happening--
-We gotta get him back.
-I cant.
-Why not?
-I have no idea where he lives.
Then call the board by Holloman.
We cant. He probably
gave a fake name or--
-You cant dial back
out the line?
-It doesnt work like that.
-Look him up in the phone book.
-Under Billy near Holloman?
Uh-- I know. I know.
Damn it.
Hold on, we got a call,
we got a call!
Name of city, inward.
Connecting.
Cayuga, number please.
Yes, this is Billy.
Ill connect you!
Here he is, Everett.
Billy. Whats going on?
We need your real number.
Im sorry,
but I cant do that.
Okay, then I cant
put you back on the air.
I would like to, but theres
a breach of ethics here,
cause I have no way of knowing
if what youre saying is true.
I know. I understand.
I dont mean
to put you in a place
that would get you
into problems.
Billy, I have to ask--
Why are you
telling us all this?
Is this gonna get us
in trouble?
I suppose Im telling you
cause Im sick.
And Im old.
And no one listens to us.
And I want people to know
what we did for them.
Why do you think
no one listens to you?
I think part of its
cause Im black.
Im sorry
if thats a problem.
No, I dont think it is.
I thought
that might be the case.
Weve just never had
a black caller before.
Im sorry,
I should have
probably told you that.
But everyone
on these details
were black.
Or Mexican.
All of us doing sweat work.
You think they
did that on purpose?
I know they did.
Why?
Cause whos
gonna listen to us?
But theres
a part of all this
that you can check into
so that you know
Im not making this up.
Okay, I think we need that,
cause, you can see why,
at this point,
all we have is your word.
Theres one gentleman
Ill tell you about
in a minute.
Im sorry to interrupt, Billy,
but Im still recording this
even though were not
on the air, all right?
Uh, yes, please do.
Okay. Go ahead, Billy.
And so this guy we talked to
at Walker Base,
the radar operator
who we met off-site,
after he retired,
he didnt stop
with the signals.
In fact, he started
waiting for them
and was trying to record
one of them on his own,
using radio and war surplus
equipment he repaired.
And did he ever get anything?
Yeah, he did.
Finally.
It took a long time,
but one night
he finally got one.
And recorded it.
And then he made copies
and mailed them
to a bunch of us...
guys who had been, uh, around
some of these hidden details.
What did he think
these signals were?
Well, thats where
you have to make the jump.
Because he told us
its something talking
and then disappearing,
something very high
that we cant see.
And he made copies?
Yes.
And he sent them to us.
Different guys on these details
here in the area.
And when I finally got my tape
and got to a player,
and I played it back...
it made my hair
stand up on end.
Why?
Cause they were
the same sounds
Id heard
out in the desert.
Do you still have
that tape?
No.
I didnt want to be caught
with it, so I burned it.
But one of the other guys,
another Air Force gentleman
who had been on one of
these security details
and heard these noises, too,
and he lives in Cayuga,
so he got sent a tape
just like mine.
Thats what I thought
you were playing.
Wait.
Theres one in Cayuga?
With who?
Raymond Buck,
an ex-Air Force gentleman.
So he was mailed a tape with
one of these signals on it?
But Raymond Buck died.
Oh, no.
Did you say
he passed away?
Yes.
I thought that
may have happened.
Im sorry, Billy.
Well, I didnt
know him well, you know.
Do you know where
his tape would be?
No. Maybe if he had kids?
No, Mrs. Buck gave all
his tapes to the library.
Theres not a tape recorder
in the library, Fay.
There is.
Its in the basement.
They havent had a chance
to look at all the tapes,
so they havent put it out.
No, the librarys closed and
no one will be at the board.
Everyones at the game.
No ones gonna call.
I know how to get into
the library.
Billy, what do
you think itll do
if we can find it and play it?
I dont know.
But if youre gonna do it,
you better do it...
cause somethings
up there now.
And they dont stay
for long.
Okay, Fay, run.
Get in!
-Did you steal a car?
-Did you get them? No.
Yes. Come on, get in.
Did you get them?
I stole a bicycle!
Answer me.
-Uh, yes, I got them.
-All right.
Whose car is this?
Mr. McKeans.
Does Mr. McKean know?
Of course not.
Are you gonna give Billy
a piece of Elviss carpet?
What?
You said youd give
the caller who helped us
a piece of Elviss carpet.
Oh.
Yeah, no, thats
not really Elviss carpet.
It was, but we gave it
all away a while back.
So now Jack Sage
and Red Gant have both scraps,
and we give away carpet
from Jess Perviss house.
Everett, thats lying.
People really think
thats Elviss carpet.
Shut up, Fay.
Billy? Its Fay,
the Cayuga operator.
We got a lot of tapes here.
Do you remember
which one it was?
Its been a long time,
but I think it was clear.
Theyre all clear, Billy.
Billy?
The line cut.
What?
Billy?
I cant reconnect him without
going back to the board.
Yeah, dont go. Just hand me
those one at a time.
And get out of my chair.
So you dont believe
Mr. Billy?
I dont know.
But if theres something
in the sky, I want to know.
Baxter is a four-year--
No.
Next one.
How you know what
youre looking for?
I dont.
Could he have
recorded over it?
Uh, yeah.
Yeah, absolutely.
Unfortunately.
So I did and--
What is that recorder?
This is the Maggie PT-6.
Maggie?
Yeah, for Magnecord.
Its like the broadcast brother
to your recorder.
Its how we play
the games and ads.
People really listen
to the games the next day,
even though they
know what happened?
Yeah, they do.
They dont care they know.
They just wanna hear
their kids name on the radio.
Silent night
Holy night--
Thats not it.
Is any of this gonna
get you in trouble?
Well, if it does,
I dont care.
This is good radio.
And itll get me
a better job somewhere else.
Where would you wanna go?
I dont know.
At that point...
Probably West Coast.
Thats where everythings
happening in radio.
I wanna get out, too.
Not till Maddys older,
of course, but sometime.
To where? To do what?
Want to go to college?
Eh, probably just to work on
a bigger switchboard somewhere.
Right now, I could work
in a hospital or a hotel
or a school
on their switchboard.
But if I wanna work
on a bigger board,
Id have to transfer
to a bigger city
and get hired on
by the phone company.
No college?
Cant afford college, Everett.
Theres loans.
You could look into that.
Id love that.
Golly Moses.
Oh, Everett.
Thats it.
And its clearer.
What are you gonna do?
Folks, we got another sound
we do need your help with.
Listen up and let us know.
And, Billy,
if this is the sound,
give us a call.
All right.
Here it is, cats.
Oh, my gosh.
Everett?
Oh, my gosh.
Are you
playing a trick on me?
Im not.
Hold still.
Whats going on?
Calm down. Theres
a flashlight somewhere.
Whats going on, Everett?
Hey, Fay, calm down!
Silver flashlight.
I knew it was something.
I knew it. I knew it.
- Fuck.
-Whatd you do?
I didnt do anything!
I dont know!
Theres lights out here.
We-- Damn it. We just
experienced a blackout
after playing that...
- What are you doing?
-Im recording for later
in case we got news.
-Why do you change
your voice like that?
-Like what?
When youre on the radio,
you always change your voice!
Why do you do that?
Cause thats
how radio sounds!
Look, I dont need
your judgment right now.
Oh, no.
Ah, what?
-The switchboard!
-Fay, wait!
Goddamn, Fay!
Get in!
Oh, I shouldnt have
been gone that long.
Why you always running?
We drove here.
We dont have a car.
I never ride in cars.
I walk everywhere.
All right, no sweat.
So you still dont think
somethings going on?
I think if anythings
happening, its that
were being spied on
or were about to
be invaded.
By who?
Soviets.
You really think so?
100%, absolutely.
And this is exactly
where theyd come in, too,
southern border.
Number please.
Sorry for the wait.
Number please.
Ill connect you.
Uh, Im not sure.
No, youre the first one to--
Yes, well let them know.
Thank you.
Number please. Yes, were
notifying highway patrol.
Uh, well relay
any news to you.
-Thank you. Thank you.
Number please.
Sorry for the wait.
All right, thank you.
Goodbye.
Thank you. Goodbye.
People are saying
theres something in the sky.
Its 7:45.
Write that down.
Cant you just record it?
Yeah.
Folks, it is 7:45 p.m.
and we may have something--
-Did you see it?
-Did it cross over? What?
Theres something in the sky.
We followed it from Culp Canyon.
Im Bertsie. This is Gerrie.
Im going by Gerald now.
Please call me Gerald.
I forgot. Im sorry.
Im Everett. This is Fay.
The power cut off at the radio--
You work at the radio station?
I do Highway Hits.
-Were you listening?
-We drove 80 mph.
It was something in the sky.
He does the old stuff.
I do the hits.
No, we dont listen to--
I dont like new stuff,
but Gerrie does.
-Oh.
Number please.
Yes, Everetts here. Would you
like to speak with him here?
Okay, Ill connect you.
Everett, come to board one!
Theres a lady calling in
for the station!
Here.
Hello. This is Everett
"the Maverick" Sloan, WOTW.
I can tell you whats going on.
What do you mean?
I can tell you more
about what that fellow
told you on the radio
and give you more
for your radio show.
Okay, go ahead.
No.
I would prefer you
to come to my house.
I would like to tell you here.
Theres something
in the sky, maam.
I know.
Thats what I want
to talk to you about.
I can tell you a lot more
than you know right now
if you come here.
I think what I can tell you
would be very important tonight.
All right,
whats your address?
1616 Sycamore.
Sixteen-si-- All right.
Youll need to get a key
from the flowerpot
on the front porch.
I leave it there for the boy
that brings me groceries.
I wont be able
to come the door.
I cant walk much anymore.
But Ill be here.
All right, Ill be there
in one or two minutes.
Uh, whats your name?
Mabel Blanche.
Okay, Mrs. Blanche,
well see you shortly. Bye-bye.
She said she can tell us
whats going on. Come on.
I told her wed be
there in a minute.
Who?
This old lady caller said
she can tell us
whats going on.
You know her?
Whats she gonna tell you?
No, I dont.
She said come immediately.
To tell you what?
-How do you know
shes not crazy?
-I dont. She could be.
But she sounded fine.
Its one minute,
down Ayers, on Sycamore.
-Were gonna stay here.
-Will you find us
if you see anything?
Yes. Will you find us
if you learn anything?
Yes, I will.
Her lines there.
You can turn the key--
I dont know a frogs ribbit
about those things.
Okay, never mind.
What in the world, Fay?
I dont know.
She never calls in at night.
Shes a shut-in.
This could be news.
You really think so?
I really do.
Should I have brought
my tape recorder?
No, this ones better.
Mine not good enough?
Its--
No, its fine, but its
not broadcast quality.
Its good,
but its more like a toy.
I dont mean that in a way
to get your feelings hurt.
You wont hurt my feelings.
Good.
Cause I hurt
girls feelings a lot.
Dont be a jerk all the time,
probably wont hurt--
You are on the stick
with me tonight!
Wait up.
No, you hurry up.
Okay.
Im back here.
Who is she?
Im Everett.
Shes the switchboard operator.
Shes my friend.
Is that okay?
Yes, thats fine.
You can sit down.
Youre the one on the phone?
Yes.
How old are you, sweetie?
Sixteen.
Oh, well, I dont have
a dad, but, uh,
my mom is Yodi Crocker.
Can I ask
what you were saying
while we were walking in?
That was very alarming.
I know it was.
Im sorry.
I will explain myself.
Im not some witch,
I promise.
Do you mind if we tell people
what you tell us on the radio?
Thats why Im telling you.
And can we record you,
in case this is a news story?
Of course.
I hope we will be
a news story.
Ive been waiting
my whole life for this.
Okay, thank you.
Uh, also, uh,
we wanna hear everything
you have to tell us,
but we have a very short
amount of time.
So if we have to--
Then let me get right to it.
I listen to your broadcast,
every night.
I think youre very good,
and I hope you can
get far away from here.
Thank you.
I will tell you
what is happening,
but I will have
one request for you
when I have finished.
Okay.
Ill do whatever I can.
The gentleman
that called in--
I believe his stories,
because I have
a companion story to his.
It started
before his stories.
Theyve come here before.
And now that these things
are happening more often,
we have a better idea
of what might be out there.
Ever since I was a little girl,
theyve liked this place.
They always have.
Who?
The people in the sky.
So you truly believe that?
I dont have to
truly believe it.
Its just the truth.
-And can you tell me why?
-Yes, I can.
Have you ever heard
about the Boles Acres Raid?
No.
Well,
when I was still little,
they finished
the Alamogordo-El Paso
rail line.
And one day, a passenger train
coasted to a stop outside town.
When the deputies got there,
it was completely empty.
Everyone assumed
the Apaches took them,
so they called it
the Boles Acres Raid.
But a few days later...
a beat-up young lady
came into town
who had jumped
off that train.
Out in the brush-- Shed been
hiding out there somewhere.
She was dehydrated
and wouldnt talk.
My friend Charlottes family
took her in.
They fed her,
gave her a bed,
Charlottes bed actually,
and they telegraphed someone
in El Paso to come get her
so they could get
some answers.
Charlottes dad was
the Methodist minister.
Batsell Breff.
He started the church here.
My-- My parents died
when I was little,
so I lived
many weeks of the year
with Charlottes family.
When my brothers
and sisters were working
or had too many mouths
to feed.
But that night...
that woman from the train
started muttering
something in her sleep,
in Charlottes room.
It wasnt English
or Spanish or Indian.
So we opened the door
a crack to listen.
Wed never heard it before,
but I remembered it.
And then,
before the next day,
she disappeared,
crawled out the window
and stole a horse,
believe it or not.
So if you ever hear
about the old horse witch,
thats where
the story came from.
My older sister raised me.
But mostly I lived alone.
I made dresses and tablecloths
and what have you.
I was still young
when I met Claude Maynard.
He was part of the crew
putting telephone lines in.
We fell in love,
and I conceived
my son with him
without being married.
I actually didnt know that
was how you made a baby,
believe it or not.
He said hed come back
when he finished work
in White Sands,
and I believed him,
but he never did.
When my baby was born,
I named him Hollis.
A few people were
kind to me, but...
mostly I was
on my own with him.
This wasnt a neighborhood
or a town like it is today.
It was scattered houses
around the buildings
on Ayers.
I was a lonely mother,
but I did my best.
And later on, I heard Claude
had died stringing up lights
in a cave in Texas
for a tourist operation.
Of course,
that broke my heart.
But to get back to when
Hollis was still a baby.
One night,
after Id nursed him,
he was asleep in my arms,
and he started making
the sounds of an infant.
And then
they became clearer.
More vocal.
And then he spoke
his first words.
And the same words
I heard come from that
confused woman at Charlottes
started coming from
the mouth of my ten-month-old
in his sleep.
I tried to tell
a few people.
I went to a doctor
in another town.
He said it was baby noises
and I shouldnt
tell anyone else.
Hollis always
behaved differently.
He fixated on objects.
He wouldnt hear you.
And in his sleep,
occasionally I would hear him...
say those words.
So I wrote them down.
Word for word.
I asked him about it,
but... he didnt know.
He didnt know.
And one night, when he was
about four years old...
it got really windy outside.
And there was a sound,
like a really large windmill.
And Hollis set his gaze
on the window.
And he wouldnt respond.
So I... read
the muttering to him.
And his eyes closed
and he looked up
at the ceiling
and he didnt move.
And then his lips
moved with mine.
And a few moments
after I stopped...
he opened his eyes
and went back to playing.
I tried it again
a few days later,
but nothing.
So I figured
there must be something
out there on those nights,
telling him something
that no one can hear.
Radio was pretty new,
and thats what
I thought it was.
Or something
from the occult.
And then when he was nine,
I got the feeling
that something
was out there again.
And that night,
in the middle of the night,
he walked out the front door
of this house and vanished.
How?
He was taken up
from this Earth.
There were no other houses.
It was very dry.
I followed his footprints
out the front door...
out to about 150 feet...
and they stopped
there in the dirt.
And he wasnt there.
They took my son...
and no one
has ever believed me.
Was there an investigation?
Of course.
But the whole thing turned
to an investigation of me.
People were convinced that
my son had ruined my life...
so I killed him.
So did you recognize the sound
we played on the radio tonight?
No.
But I believe I know
what is going on.
Can you tell me what that is?
I believe theyre
up there tonight.
Right now.
And I think
there are some reasons
to support that idea.
Like what?
I think they stay away
from big cities.
I think they wait
for people to get together
in one place, like tonight,
and when everyone
gets out of that game,
theyre going to be gone.
I think
they like people alone.
Mmm. And I think
they talk to people
with some kind of
advanced radio,
in their sleep.
Right, like you think
they did with your son?
I didnt just think this up.
I think,
at the lowest level,
they send people on errands.
They play
with peoples minds.
They sway people
to do things
and think certain ways
so that we stay in conflict,
focused on ourself.
So that were always
cleaning house or losing weight
or dressing up for other people.
I think they get inside
our heads and make us do
destructive things,
like drink and overeat.
Ive seen good people go bad
and smart people go mad.
I think,
at the highest level,
they do things
that cause nations
to go to war.
Things that make no sense.
And I think no one knows
theyre being affected.
We all work out other reasons
to justify our actions.
But free will isnt possible
with them up there.
Ive had an entire life
to think about this.
Years alone.
And thats what I think.
Well, Im sorry about everything
thats happened in your life
to lead you to these ideas.
Thank you.
Like I said in the beginning,
we dont want to offend you,
-but we do have to
kind of get going.
-I know.
But I did have
a request for you.
Of course.
I want you
to take me with you.
-Take you with us?
-Yes. Right now.
Im sorry.
Uh, where do you
want us to take you?
To the ship.
I want to see my son.
I know hes here tonight.
Up there.
And I want you to take me
to the ship.
Fay, lets go.
-Now.
-Wait.
Take this.
Say this when you
encounter people tonight.
Weve got to find a camera
or something. My friend
Gretchens dad has one.
Fay, I dont think theres
really anything up there,
not like shes talking about.
Everett.
What? What?
I forgot about
Ethel and Maddy.
Wait. Fay, what?
Ethel? Ethel?
Maddy.
Come here, come here.
Its okay. Sissys got you.
Come on, lets go.
Its gonna be okay.
Come on.
Were okay. Lets go.
Gretchen? Gretchen, Im gonna
need your dads camera.
Whats going on?
Is everything okay?
Here, take her. I dont know.
Were you listening
to the radio at all?
-Whos at the switchboard?
-No one. I left.
Why are you out of breath?
Somethings going on.
It might be an emergency.
I need the camera.
Youre gonna get me
in trouble.
Have you heard from Ethel?
Shes not home.
She was babysitting
Maddy, and I called--
I dont know.
I havent seen her.
I called
and the line got cut.
Fay! Damn it!
Whos that?
Its Everett.
Everett, the radio boy?
Yes. Stop smiling.
Whats he doing here?
Hes helping me.
Stop smiling.
What are you doing inside?
Im in my nightgown.
Im not looking, Gretchen,
and I dont care
what you look like
in your nightgown.
-Okay, lets go.
-You cant bring her.
You cant take the camera.
Go ask my dad at the game.
Theres no time.
This is an emergency.
What is?
Whats going on?
Theres something in the sky.
Stay in the house.
We dont know that.
You cant go
telling people that.
Youre gonna start a panic.
Everybodys at the game,
and she sure cant call anybody,
so stop telling me what to do
and go find
the couple from Culp Canyon.
All right. No sweat.
Why do you have your sister?
Ethels not there. She was
supposed to be babysitting.
Well, where is she?
I dont know.
Is that camera gonna work?
Yes, I can make it work.
Ive used it before.
Think the radios still down?
Oh, theres no telling.
Ethel!
Yes! Where were you?
Gabe came by--
God, youre with Gabe?
What were you thinking?
We were on his roof.
Theres something in the sky.
Have you seen it?
-No. Whatd you see?
-Get in! Its outside of town!
-Come on, come on, come on!
-Fay, come on!
Come on, come on! Get in!
-Stay inside the house!
- Fay, come on!
Ethel said Gabe came over
and they got on the roof
and saw something in the sky!
Who saw what?
Get in.
Did you get the camera?
Who saw what?
My cousin Ethel--
she was babysitting,
so they got up on the roof.
-They saw something in the sky.
-Where? What did it look like?
She said it was round.
Hiding in the clouds.
What did you find out
from the old woman?
She said theyre up there.
The people in the sky.
Yeah, they have advanced radio
and communication.
And they take people up.
For real?
Thats what she said?
Exactly.
Matter of fact,
she read us this--
Uh, hold on.
...Id nursed him,
he was asleep in my arms--
...when I was little,
- so I lived...
Im back here.
Everett, stop the tape.
Stop the tape!
Okay, okay. Gerald?
-Gerald? Hey.
-Everett, take the wheel!
Ive got Maddy!
-Gerald, wake up, man! Gerald!
-Gerald!
-Gerald!
- Gerald!
I want out! Okay?
- Slow down!
- Hold on!
No!
Let me out now, please!
Im so sorry.
Let me out of here!
I want to go home!
- Please leave us be!
- Im so sorry.
Come back here
so we can take you home!
-There are rattlesnakes!
-Please go! Please!
Im right here, Fay.
Im right here.
Its fine.
What is it?
Its burnt.
Trees are burnt, too.
Oh, my gosh.
Oh, no.
Theyre here.
Theyre really here.
Do you think
theyre in the forest?
I dont know.
Everett, please dont.
Everett.
Please. Dont.
a realm between
clandestine and forgotten,
a slipstream
caught between channels,
the secret museum of mankind,
the private library
of shadows--
all taking place on a stage
forged from mystery
and found only on a frequency
caught between logic and myth.
You are entering
Paradox Theater.
Tonights episode,
"The Vast of Night."
You and the family
headed to the game?
No, just me.
Patricias with the kids
over in Hobbs.
Hobbs, huh? Good thing
were not playing them.
Boy, aint that right.
See you at the game.
I dont want to light
my next cigarette, Benny. I got
one here thatll do the trick.
Mrs. McBrooms
looking for you.
Why?
Im not sure why.
I was at supper.
Ingrids sister was giving you
the top to bottom.
No, she wasnt.
Oh, yes, she was.
In her car.
With Millie when
I was walking up.
Great damn dogs,
what was that?
Thats why they were calling.
Make me feel better, Benny.
Make me feel better.
This is not good.
Arlos under the stands
figuring it out. Last time
it happened, it was a squirrel
that had bitten through a wire,
but the wire was still
in the mouth of the skeleton.
So is this the lights
or the electric? We cant roll
if its flickering.
I dont know. I was at supper.
How many times you gonna
tell me you were at supper?
Now-- Sam, whats barn
buzzards buzz, man?
I dont know.
Its just blinking in there.
Lets plug it in.
I havent had
anything to test it.
Lets figure it out.
Come on, plug it in.
Okay.
Be careful.
If it electrocutes you,
youll stop growing hair
and never get a date.
Oh, tune out, man.
Go find Mrs. McBroom.
I will, but I dont like
that tone, Sam. If its blinking
when you start recording,
stop recording, or Ill have
one of them Buell brothers
come beat the water out of you.
Everett. Hey.
Mrs. McBroom is looking for you.
Renny, up in the stands
with his horn.
I know. Benny told me.
-So what does she want?
-I dont know.
Shes just walking around,
asking everybody,
"Wheres Everett?
Have you seen Everett?
Whens Everett getting here?"
That tells me nothing, Renny.
Go sit down with your horn.
Matter of fact, give it to me.
Theres something wrong with it.
I used to play trombone.
Everett!
Can I bring you
my tape recorder so you can
show me how it works?
I dont know what you said, Fay.
You sound like a mouse
being eaten by a possum.
Renny, give me your horn.
Can I bring you
my tape recorder
so you can show me how it works?
Yeah, sure, Fay. Renny, now.
Great!
Why?
Drop it down now, Renny.
You cant hurt it.
What am I gonna do, Renny?
What-- Drop it down now.
Come on. Come on.
Yeah. There. Good boy.
Hey, where are you going?
Everett! Everett!
Bye, Renny. Bye, Renny.
Arlo told me to bring you down.
Why? Where is he?
What for? Down where?
Hes in the locker.
I dont know what he wants.
They dont tell me anything.
They dont listen to me.
He just said,
"Go grab Everett."
I dont know whats going on.
I just got here.
Im not gonna be able to help.
I got H.H. at 7:00, so--
I know that.
He just
doesnt listen to me.
Come tell him
for yourself.
I told them to turn the power
off during the tornado,
but they dont listen to me.
Last time this happened,
it was a squirrel that
had bitten through the wire.
Squirrel still had
the wire in his mouth.
Yeah, Benny told me.
And we had a rat gnaw
through the scoreboard wire.
Did you know that?
No, I did not know that.
Uh-huh.
And an owl made his home
in the library attic,
so we had all these
critter bones
laying around the crawl space
where we keep the marching band
uniforms. Helen Trank had
a bat skull in her pocket.
- Hold it.
- Why are you here?
Whoa! No, no, wait.
I did that. I did that.
Arlo, get out now!
Hold it.
Hold it, hold it, hold it.
Whats Everett doing here?
You told me
to bring him down here.
No, I didnt.
Yes, you did.
I did not.
You told me.
I said bring Emmett down here,
not Everett.
Emmett. Emmett.
I asked you specifically
if you wanted
Everett from the radio.
Emmett doesnt work
at the radio?
Everett works at the radio.
Arlo, if you dont need me,
Im gonna get back out.
Did Emmett never work
at the radio?
No, its just me.
Emmett works
at Santa Mira Mills.
Hes an electrician.
Now, hold on just a minute.
Emmett worked at the radio.
Wait, wait, wait.
You told me
to bring him down here.
Do you want us to record
over that last game?
And Renny wants his horn back.
I know he does.
Thats why I took it.
Did you get the reel? Because--
Every game use
the same reel. Its in the back
of the recorder. Ill show you.
Are you gonna give Renny
his horn back?
If he stops being bad news.
I mean, someones
got to spank his ass.
Oh, Fay, you meant right now?
Is that okay?
Uh, can you walk?
Yeah.
Just let me
look at this for them.
Found it. So we just use
the same reel as last time?
Same reel each game.
But thats gonna cause
some cross talk eventually.
Right? I mean, wont it?
Read the Bible, Sam?
Yes.
Theres your answer.
Answer to what?
Answer to everything.
But that doesnt--
Yeah, eventually.
But no ones gonna buy
a tape for every game.
If its a problem, Ill ask
Mr. McKean. Maybe hell buy
you some new ones.
But its not gonna make
a difference now. If power
goes out, you stop recording.
Im not buying
another one of those.
You said that.
-Whats the tale, nightingale?
-Whats all the fuss?
Why you got Rennys horn?
Whoa, whats this?
I didnt know youre in band.
Why arent you up there playing?
Oh, I cant do pep band.
I work the games
so Ruth can watch them,
since Greg made varsity.
Why do you have Rennys horn?
Cause he needs to be punished
for being Renny.
Wait, youre working?
What about, uh,
Rita Cope or Winifred?
Winifred works nights in
San Mirial. Rita Cope quit.
She works at Zebs now.
Okay, so clue me in
about this lunch box.
This is the Westinghouse?
Yeah, its the one
you told me to get.
Ah, whered you get it?
Montgomery Ward catalog.
Play something.
What have you recorded?
Well, nothing yet.
I mean, I didnt wanna
mess anything up.
You havent recorded anything?
No, I didnt wanna
mess something up.
You have a brand-new
tape recorder. You havent been
curious to push a button?
Ive been so curious.
I just didnt want to--
Im nervous.
Are there batteries in it?
Yes.
Then press record.
Pull out the mic.
On the side,
are the wheels spinning?
Yes.
All right, then talk.
What do I say?
Try this.
Raise your right hand.
Say, "Im not now,
nor have I ever been, a member
of the Communist Party."
Im not now, nor have
I ever been, a member
of the Communist Party.
Around Dodge City
and in the territory out west...
Theres only one way
to handle the spoilers
and the killers,
and thats with a US marshal
and the smell of gun smoke.
Brought to you by L&M filters.
That was good.
You want to hear it?
Yes.
All right, okay.
Hey, coyotes!
Yeah.
Those guys know me.
Im Everett.
I like those guys.
This is Fay Crocker.
Its not recording nothing.
I know. Its just, Ive never
held a microphone before.
Im practicing.
I did not tell you to practice.
Told you to shut up.
Im not shutting up.
Its my recorder.
That was good. Thats how you
got to be when were recording.
That was queen of Cayuga.
You 500-Watt Fay.
This is Fay Crocker.
This is Fay Crocker.
I have never, up until now,
held a microphone.
...one way to
handle the spoilers and the
killers, and thats...
Isnt that a charge?
Its a large charge.
Press record.
Start going again.
Is that how I sound?
Yeah, thats how you sound.
Thats 100% Cayuga queen.
Press record, roll tape.
What are we gonna record?
Cool it, Clyde. Theres plenty
to say. Follow me. Lets go.
Im here with Fay Crocker,
horn player and recording expert
at Cayuga High School.
Now, what would you like
to tell us about yourself, Fay?
Uh--
I dont know.
Come on, its spinning, sister.
Lets bake biscuits.
Uh, this is Fay-- Wait.
What does that mean?
Well, it means to record,
make records. You--
You need a cigarette.
Everyone smokes
with a microphone.
I dont wanna smoke right now.
Dont cramp the cool.
Its just something to hold.
Its like a prop.
Itll make you more confident.
Now, give me your horn.
Im not allowed to let
anyone carry my horn.
Why?
If it gets dropped,
I have to pay for it.
School owns it.
No sweat. Lets go.
Uh, bacon, bacon, 940.
What is that?
I heard it in a war movie.
They dont say "bacon,
bacon, 940" during a war.
Well, maybe were thinking
about different wars.
No, no, this is not war radio.
You gotta say
something buzzin.
All right, hold it.
Walk over there to the Olivers.
Well interview them.
Everett, no! Thats--
Thats a terrible idea.
Thats not fun at all.
You have to answer
questions before
we let you into the game.
Well, hello, Everett.
Wh-- What is this?
Whats going on?
Were recording interviews.
I have Cayuga winning by eight.
-What are your thoughts
on the game?
-Need a light, Fay?
No, Im just holding it like
people do with microphones.
Ask him a question.
I cant.
Youre making me nervous.
Its just a question.
Ask anyone about anything,
doesnt matter.
Oh. Did you know that
a squirrel bit through
the wire in the gym?
-I did not know that. Tonight?
-Oh, I knew that.
It wasnt tonight. It was
when Clem was still teaching.
Now ask her to tell you more.
Tell me more.
It was actually a chipmunk.
A chipmunk. That was it.
Hold the mic out to her.
-Tell me more.
-I dont know any more.
Ask her what
her feelings are on chipmunks.
Whats your feelings
on chipmunks?
Well, theyre cute
so long as they stay
out of peoples cars
and houses and hair.
- That was good.
Ask her if she wants to hear it.
-You wanna hear your biscuit?
What? My biscuit?
Yeah, we made a biscuit.
No-- Its not called a biscuit.
But you said
we were baking biscuits.
A recording is not a biscuit.
Whats this for?
Is this going on the air?
No, youre not--
What kind of question is that?
You tune into the radio
to hear a family
talking in their car,
while theyre eating?
No, I guess not.
No, yeah, you dont.
No one does.
Theres your answer, unfiltered,
brought to you by me.
Honey, you are too funny.
Whered you get this bit?
It comes with the recorder.
You should try it.
All you got to do
is hold the microphone
up to your mouth.
Hey, Daisy.
You old enough to be
going to basketball games?
Yes.
I dont know--
I think you gotta be
at least five years old.
I am five years old.
Well, look out now.
Good thing for that.
If you werent,
Id have to take you home
and go to bed early.
Have fun at the game.
I like your haircut, fuzzy duck.
Thanks for including us.
Have a good night.
Bye!
- Press record,
start talking about something.
-What do I say?
Give me your horn.
No.
Im not gonna drop it.
Take the mic out.
Take it out.
Good. Now, whats your
favorite subject in school?
Arent you
some big science girl?
Yes.
All right.
Tell me about science.
Be careful with my horn
or else youll have to
deal with Mr. Pike.
Did you know that Robby Ritter
set his horn behind the car
and they backed over it?
Thats good.
Did you know that
Robby Ritter set his horn
behind their car
and they backed over it?
Sorry, whats that?
Hello, Fay.
Hi, Mr. Stemmons.
Whats this?
Is this a school project?
No, Everetts just
having me ask people questions
and record them
on my tape recorder.
Well, its broken.
What?
Its not turning.
It stopped working.
How? Its brand-new.
I dont know what happened.
Im sorry.
Im sorry, Mr. Stemmons.
Well record you another time.
Thanks for stopping.
Well record you another time.
Thats okay.
You guys have a good night.
- Can we fix it?
- Shh. Its not broken.
Mr. Stemmons is a nowhere man.
Hes a full-on pale one.
We had to get out
of that conversation.
So its not broken?
No. You cant waste tape, Fay,
not on a tombstone
like Mr. Stemmons.
Double-dealing devil-dog.
That had me so scared.
You know I paid for that
with my own money.
You can always do that
if someones a wet rag.
Tell them, "Its broken.
Well have to reschedule."
Then you just never reschedule.
Well, I cant
do that to someone.
Oh, yeah, you can.
Why not?
Cause its lying.
Its not lying.
Its stopping someone from
embarrassing themselves.
Not if you dont make them
feel embarrassed.
Putting up the numbers means
you got to get
what you want out of people,
not be afraid to cut them off
or tell them to shut up.
Im not putting up any numbers.
Im sorry, you two.
Im gonna need to see
a license for that.
Oh, this aint
no shotgun, Pappy Fred.
And youre lucky it aint.
Cause youd all be dead.
Talk to her.
Hey, ask them a question, Fay.
Okay, about what?
Uh--
Well, now Im nervous again.
What is this?
Its a tape recorder.
Ask if they ever heard
"bacon, bacon, 940" before?
Bacon? What are you--
Bacon, what?
I heard it in a war movie.
Now, hold the mic
to your mouth.
Have you ever heard
the phrase "bacon, bacon, 940"
in a war movie?
Now to his mouth.
I think you mean
"breaker, breaker."
Thats what it is.
See, I was close.
Whoa, cut the gas, cube.
You were a mile wide.
Do you have
your own show now, Fay?
Yeah, she does.
Its called
Teenage Rendezvous
and her radio name
is Cayuga Queen.
She takes requests and tells
stories of young love.
Thats a great idea.
I should get my own show.
All right, start studying
for your license.
And learn
how to ask a question.
What license?
A radio license, FCC.
You going to the game?
No.
We gotta work.
Oh, of course.
You do such a good job,
honey.
Hows your mother?
Did Fay tell you
about the Grimaldis?
-About their dog
getting electrocuted?
-No. Ask Fay.
You need to stay out of
Fays business, Marjorie.
Its not Fays business.
Its the Grimaldis business.
She knows the whole business.
Just make sure you turn off
that tape machine.
Oh, well do exactly that.
-Shut your mouth, Marjie.
-Oh, look out now.
I didnt say anything, Fred.
I could appear in court,
put my hand on a Bible--
Start walking.
This is marriage problems.
-Come on.
-I didnt say anything.
In front of God and everyone?
Yeah, I am.
And you rock
Around the world
You rock, rock, rock
Tell me the word
on the Grimaldis.
I dont talk about
other peoples business.
Then come up with some
other way to fill up
this tape recorder.
I cant.
I just get so nervous
and I dont know what to say.
Although, I was
enjoying it back there
when we got going,
asking them questions.
Its just you and me talking.
Tell me the craziest
caller you ever had.
Oh, I know what I can tell you.
Not about a caller, but about
some science I was reading.
Can I tell you about that?
You certainly can,
Fay Cordelia Crocker.
Thats not my middle name.
I know it isnt. I dont care.
I mean, I didnt know,
but I definitely dont care.
What else you got in there?
Uh, just my mouthpiece
and some hairpins.
Hairpins?
Yeah. My mom says you can
stash hairpins anywhere,
and one day youll be
glad you did it.
Geez, thats weird.
I just read about this,
and I think its boss.
Dont make me feel
like a fool for liking it.
I would never.
Come on, let me have it.
Razz my berries.
All right, did you know
that there was actually
an experiment done this year,
in Lincoln, Nebraska,
for a radio-controlled car?
By RCA. Like a full-sized one.
Whoa, lay dead.
Yup. Its called
"electronic highway control."
And this article says that
theres a series of circuits
buried in the pavements with
little lights connected to them
so they can communicate to
the car through radio control
and take over steering
and braking. Its crazy.
Whoa, whoa, wait.
This is an experiment?
They already did this?
Mm-hmm.
In Lincoln, Nebraska, in April.
You press a button
on the dash of the car
that says "electronic drive,"
and the car starts
to drive itself.
Thats incredible.
Yeah, I know.
And get this--
Well, actually, two things.
First of all, it can tell
if theres a car stopped
up to a mile ahead, and itll
slow traffic automatically.
Like all cars at once,
like a school of fish.
And two,
it doesnt need eyes to work,
so if your visions bad
or if its raining cats and dogs
outside or if your headlamps
wont work too well,
then the car still works.
Oh, and a voice
will come over the radio
and give you directions.
So if youre on the highway
and your exits coming up,
or if you need
to switch highways,
a voice will literally interrupt
your radio and tell you
that your exits approaching
so you can get back
behind the wheel
and take control again.
I know that was three things,
but when I read this,
I was like, "Wow, really?
Can all this really be true?"
And it is.
Its 100% true.
Tested in April this year,
Lincoln, Nebraska.
This articles in this
Science Digest, this issue.
A voice comes through
the radio, tells you
what direction to go?
Its in this article. Read it.
Does it say
when this is gonna happen?
1974. And by 1990,
all roads will be electronic.
Oh, really?
You dont believe me, do you?
Youre just pulling my leg.
No, Im not
pulling your leg.
I love it. Im interviewing you.
Im playing a part.
I just remembered
two more stories.
Do we have time to do those two?
Absolutely we do.
Lets fill it up.
Well, if you like that,
brace your brain for this.
Theres this article
about these tubes--
You tell me all about it.
All right, hold on,
cause you got to be able
to look past all these ads
and this squirrelly
beginners stuff.
Hold on, cause
I wanna read it to you
the way it was written,
cause I want it to have
the same effect on you.
All right, here you go.
So, "Picture a man
in New York City,
in Times Square.
And he walks down a set of
stairs into a subway tunnel,
and he boards a train car.
And he stows his suitcase
in a rack over
his head and sits down.
He starts reading a book.
And about an hour later
he feels the train
coming to a stop.
So he gets up,
gathers his things,
grabs his suitcase,
puts on his hat,
steps out of the train,
heads up some stairs
and comes out
at the Golden Gate Bridge."
What? Whoa.
How is that possible?
I know. Isnt that crazy?
So the train travels
between 2,000
and 5,000 miles per hour
in these tubes,
all across the country.
Thats how its all gonna be.
Its called
vacuum tube transportation.
All these tubes
crisscross all of the world,
so were gonna sit in cars
that run through the tubes
like hot dogs
through a garden hose.
Wait a minute.
Its gonna be everywhere
by the year 2000.
Wait a minute--
Its in this article here.
Wait a minute. Hold on.
Does this mean that the whole
other thing wont happen?
The radio cars and the highway?
No.
I think thatll be
for shorter distances.
This will replace things
like trains and airplanes.
Oh, is that so?
Yeah, I think so.
Like, even over oceans?
I think.
Hmm.
Actually, I dont know.
It doesnt say.
All right, looks like
we got time for one more.
Are you ready with your
third story, Miss Crocker?
Yes. Hold on.
Actually, do I have time
for two more or just one?
No, just one, Im afraid.
Come on.
All right, well--
Im gonna end with this one
because my mom doesnt think
this is ever gonna happen,
and she said they just
say things like this
to sell magazines.
What an intriguing setup, Fay.
Please, go on.
Okay. Well, in the future,
every baby will be assigned
a telephone number at birth
and itll be his for life.
And well all have
palm-sized dials, like
a clamshell with no receiver.
Or... well, I guess
well have little speakers
and microphones instead.
And on one side,
youll have the dial.
And on the back--
the back will be
a Lilliput screen, so like
a miniature television screen.
And you can keep it
in your pocket, so you can
call your friend in Rome
or New York or anywhere
and see his face on your dial
and have a conversation,
in color.
The screens
will be in color.
Which magazine is that?
Modern Mechanix.
This articles
a couple years old.
But, oh, it also said
that if you call your friend
and he doesnt answer,
then you know theyre dead.
What? Why would you
know theyre dead?
They always have it with them
so they can always answer.
I dont believe that.
What? Here, you can see
a picture of it.
That sounds like a space novel.
I know.
I think I agree
with your mom, you know.
Shes a wise keeper.
I believe the train tubes
and the highways,
but the tiny TV telephones,
thats cuckoo.
All right.
Hey, its been fun.
I gotta run. Tune in.
All right? Tune in.
I will. Thank you.
Oh, look out now.
I got my tape recorder.
Whats that?
I got my tape recorder.
Thats right. Is that it?
Yeah, its the Westinghouse one.
And me and Everett
just recorded ourselves
all the way over from the gym.
You got the one
he told you about?
Yeah, listen.
...Rome
or New York or anywhere
and see his face and have
a conversation with him...
How neat, Fay.
He is such a fun boy.
He said when you record,
its called "baking biscuits."
-"Baking biscuits"?
-Yeah.
- Well, Ill be.
-Yeah.
Did you get a look
at those Pocasset boys?
Just for a sec.
They were getting off
the bus. They were tall.
Oh, no. Really?
Yeah.
They got a bunch
of Indian boys on their team,
about four or five of them.
I think theres
a couple of families, like four
or five brothers or cousins.
Probably means theyre
gonna beat us like a drum.
And I dont mean that
because theyre Indians.
When they put on their jerseys,
they looked like grown-ups.
That means were gonna lose.
Hey, were the lights
flickering in here at all?
No. Why?
Oh, just cause they were
flickering over at the school.
Arlos working on it though.
Last time,
when I was still teaching,
it was a squirrel.
Bit through a wire.
All right, Im off.
Oh, the line to San Mirial
has got a permanent signal,
so its skunked, so if you
wanna plug that out, it would
let Fran and Judith know.
Okay, bye.
Number, please?
Number, please?
This is WOTW radio
in Cayuga, New Mexico,
and this is the news
for the hour.
Boeing has introduced
its new line...
Number, please?
the incident was caused by,
and I quote...
Number, please?
Hello?
...top-secret concept.
Name of city, inward.
Hey, Winnie. Its me.
Can you tell me if youve ever
heard this sound before?
You ever heard that?
Let me let some of
the other ladies listen.
Okay.
Listen, Winnie,
I got another call
coming through,
so Ill call you back
a little later.
Number, please?
Hello?
Hello?
Listen, maam, can--
can you disconnect
and then try again?
Its all...
Were calling--
Its a strange,
large object holding
over my land off of a--
...like a tornado--
...swirling faster.
Please, send the police...
Maam,
is this an emergency?
...because theres something
in the canyon.
Can you tell me
where you are?
Were going in the cellar.
Hello?
Hey, Josie, listen.
Its Fay.
Is Officer Pruitt
or Boker around?
Hes not here
and Mr. Pruitt left with him.
Well, they didnt answer
at the station.
No ones at the station?
They were here, but a trucker
just reported something.
What?
He didnt say.
It whipped the wind up
and made him spill
his truck, so avocados
are all over the road.
Is Officer Abbott around?
Off duty?
Isnt Judy cheerleading?
Yes, but I havent
seen him.
Can you try and find him?
He probably left with
Mr. Boker and Mr. Pruitt.
Whats going on?
I dont know.
Probably nothing.
Listen, Josie, I got
another call coming in.
Can you let me know
if you hear anything?
Okay. Bye.
Name of city, inward.
Winnie, we got
a call coming through,
and the same sound
came from her line,
but I-- I couldnt get
her name or anything.
She didnt sound hurt.
What should I do?
Winnie?
Winnie?
Winnie?
Hello?
Ethel, hi.
Are you listening
to the radio right now?
No, I was watching TV.
Can you turn
your radio on and tell me
if you hear any kind of sound?
Like what?
Like...
something that just came in
through the board
a couple minutes ago,
and I wanted to--
It went away.
I just wanted to see if it--
Just call Everett.
I dont wanna
disturb him on the air.
Dont be shy with him.
He doesnt care if you call--
Ethel?
Ethel?
Hello?
Grace, hi.
Can you run over
and check on Ethel and Maddy?
I tried the Van Ortons,
but theyre at the game.
Im afraid everyones
at the game right now.
Who is this, now?
Its Fay.
Oh. My lands.
When I cant see a face,
my perception gets pickled.
Can you go check
on Ethel and Maddy?
I suppose so.
Is everything okay?
Im in the kitchen
with my hands in
a ball of cookie dough.
I think so.
Its just-- I called Ethel
and the line got cut.
Were having a lot of
connection issues.
Well, lets see.
Can I get my hands washed off
and my cookie sheet in the oven?
Or do you need me to go now?
I can go now, but I might
dirty up the doorknobs.
You can wash your hands.
Whenever you get the chance.
Im sure its fine.
Wheres your mother?
Shes working nights.
Oh, I remember her
telling me that.
Sorry for calling you so late.
I tried Gertie Van Orton,
but theyre at the game.
Everyones at the game
right now.
Its not a bother.
Let me get this finished up,
and Ill go check
and Ill call you back.
Its Ethel babysitting?
Yes.
All right.
Give me a few minutes.
All right. Thank you.
Bye-bye.
Mm-hmm. Bye-bye.
Oh, and there it goes.
Spinning away.
Jimmy Rain and Crocs
with their crankin song
"Hoppin and Cookin."
Youre listening to Everett
"the Maverick" Sloan,
and the show, as you know,
is Highway Hits,
brought to you
by Santa Mira Mills
and Cloverbloom Honey,
with a co-sponsorship from
our business of the week,
the Udder Stand,
providing the whole valley
with the coldest confections
and the sweetest slurgs.
We know its a busy night
out there for everyone
with the first game
of the season and
a valley rivalry at that.
But just remember,
during basketball season,
the Udder Stand closes
for the games and reopens
after for one hour
for those who need
a little late night snack
before you start
driving your tanks home
and piling up some Zs.
Thats the word from the bird.
Its a silent night in here
when the Statesmen are playing.
But for the five of you
out there listening,
jump on the horn,
give us your dedications,
and let everyone know
youre out there.
We hope you stick around and
follow us till the sign off.
WOTW time now,
12 minutes past the hour.
Look out now.
62 degrees outside.
Stick with our station
and get lost in our sounds,
coming at you now
starting with Gabe Gunton
singing "Screamin Scooch"
here on Highway Hits.
This is WOTW, Everett
"The Maverick" Sloan.
Everett, its Fay. Im sorry.
Please dont be mad at me.
I thought you were a caller.
Im sorry.
I knew youd think that.
Please dont be mad.
Is it about
the tape recorder?
No, a sound came
through the board
and interrupted
your radio show.
I dont know. Its never
come through over here.
Interrupted my show?
Yeah, through the radio.
Whatd it sound like?
I dont know. I can
connect you through.
Did it sound Mexican?
No, it didnt
sound Mexican.
We cross signals
with this station in Mexico...
It sounded like something
that could be unsafe.
We had this lady--
Whoa, why? How?
Nothing sounded different here.
How long ago was it?
Right at the beginning
of the news.
Are you mad at me?
No, but I dont know
what you want me to do.
It was probably your radio.
Can you listen to the sound?
Is it the same sound you
heard interrupt my show?
Yeah, mostly.
They came through
on top of each other.
All right. Connect it.
All right.
Ive never heard that
before.
Yeah, me neither.
And then this lady called.
She said there was something
going on out of town
and she was going down to her
cellar and then that sound
came through on her line.
Then I called Ethel
cause shes babysitting Maddy,
and her line got cut.
And when did you say
my show got cut into?
Right at the beginning
of the news.
I didnt hear it,
but its a closed circuit,
so if it went out
from the station,
itll be recorded on playback.
So you stay on the line while
I rewind it and play it back,
and Ill let you know
if I hear anything.
Okay.
This is WOTW radio
in Cayuga, New Mexico,
and this is the news
for the hour.
Boeing has introduced
its new line of...
That was it.
What?
That was it.
It came through
just like that.
Ill be.
What? Why? Is it bad?
Thats a good question.
If its foreign or code,
the Air Force
will be coming to town.
Really?
Oh, yeah.
Will we get in trouble?
We havent done anything.
Yeah, thats true.
Okay, yeah, yeah,
thats true.
Send me that signal again
and Ill put it on the air.
If anyones listening,
maybe theyll know something.
And you sure
we wont get in trouble?
I dont care.
This is good radio.
Okay, Im doing it.
Here, Im sending the signal.
Dont call me for ten minutes,
unless someone calls in.
I dont want false alarms.
Watch your clock. Ten minutes.
I understand.
Ill wait for the calls.
Here you go.
There it was, just like
I said it would be.
That was Gabe Gunton,
followed by "Crazy Waves"
from The Golden Glows.
Its 7:18 here at WOTW.
Listen up, we got
a quick query for anyone
that wants to take a crack.
Weve got a sound that
seems to be sort of bouncing
around the valley tonight.
And wed like
to know your thoughts.
Were standing by the phones
and wed love to know
if theres an old expert
or youth ham operator
we dont know about thats
tangling up our antenna.
For the caller who can
help us out and tell us
what the sound is, weve got
a free piece of Elviss carpet,
pulled directly from
his floor in Memphis.
Lines are open.
Please call
with any information.
Passing off
with a little handoff.
Another little handoff.
And a third one.
And looks like--
Oh, there it is.
Hes gonna get the ball
and take it down the court.
And hes gonna go
and hes gonna pass the ball.
Another pass. And looks like
hes gonna go for the shot.
No. Hes gonna hand it off.
Okay.
Got to--
Theres the shot.
And two more points.
I think he can make it
from anywhere.
Passing off.
There it is.
- We got a caller.
-Put him through.
- Hes from out of town.
He might know something.
-Then put him through. Please.
Sir, we are connecting you now.
Hello, sir.
This is Everett Sloan.
Can you hear me?
Hello, yes. How are you?
Im good.
Can I get your name?
Yes, my name is Billy.
Billy. Okay.
Thank you, Billy.
And I need to tell you first
we dont allow any swear words
or inappropriate stories
on the air
or I could lose my job.
I dont have a delay and I wanna
put you right onto the air,
but I need you to promise me
that were safe in doing so.
Of course. I understand.
I dont swear or talk
like that anyway in my life.
Okay, Im breaking the rules
to do this, so please, you know,
be honest and ask
if something needs to be
discussed off the air
and Ill go to a break
or put on a record, all right?
Okay. I can do that.
We are going
on the air here shortly,
in three...
two...
one.
Were back. Sorry to cut
that last song short,
but we do have a caller here
who may know something.
Now, Billy, would you mind
telling us all what you know?
Yes, I have a story
that might be helpful.
I dont know, it may not be,
but Ill go ahead.
All right, Billy.
Well, were listening.
Well, so I was,
uh, in the military,
and there were always jobs
and work we didnt know
anything about.
What do you mean?
I mean
we would get assigned
to places without
knowing where we were,
to do things
none of us understood,
which is normal
in the military.
And one night, I was
woken up by my superior.
He had me get into uniform
and report for duty.
Then a carrier plane landed
and they loaded me up by myself.
We made, uh,
several more stops,
picking up other guys.
Then we, uh, flew
for at least two hours.
And when we landed,
they loaded us up into a bus,
but this one had all
of the windows painted black
so there was no telling
where we were going.
Then when we arrived,
it was, uh, still
desert scrubs and flatlands.
But, uh, there were
tents and tunnels
and underground labs
or test bunkers or something.
And I pretty quickly
got briefed
by some officer
Id never seen,
and he told us everything
we were seeing was classified
and if we ever spoke about it,
it would endanger America
and they would know.
And we were all sent
to this rocky,
kind of sandy alcove,
and they had us
start digging a square hole
with their
digging machines and such.
And we built walls out of blocks
and a concrete floor and such.
And we built windows
that connected
to a viewing room
and ventilation.
And they had us sleep
in this room filled with cots,
war supplies, all underground.
Then one morning, we woke up
and reported to duty,
and there was something
enormous in that hole,
covered in a tarp.
Wh-- What do you mean?
Uh, it was bigger
than an airplane,
but no one
was allowed to see it.
And there were guards
surrounding it all day.
Well, whatd it look like?
Mostly smooth,
but it looked
broken or damaged,
cause there were
some rough patches.
You think it was American?
There was no way to know.
Uh--
You dont ask
anything like that.
We want to know just like
anybody wants to know
about somethin.
But you trust your superiors
and you follow orders.
But this one...
worried me.
And why is that?
Probably cause
it was so secretive.
So what happened next?
Well, we built the ceiling
over this thing, carefully.
And then when they
were done with us,
they got us all
boarded on a plane.
And when the propellers
had started spinning
and we were about to take off,
and the radio started
playing this sound.
What sound?
The same sound
you just played tonight.
You sure it was the same?
Oh, I couldnt forget it.
And when we finally took off
and I looked out the window,
you could see guys were
starting to cover the airstrip
with dirt, like
we never been there.
And then the sound disappeared
and we got further away.
And when I got back, then I
started getting really sick.
And in the next few weeks,
I developed
some kind
of lung condition.
So now I didnt breathe so good.
And I think whatever--
that area of the desert
caused it or something.
Maybe radiation.
Cause I was
always healthy.
Then I got time
at the military hospital.
And then a couple years later,
I saw one of the guys
who had been on that detail
with me in the desert.
And I asked him
if hed got sick afterwards,
and he said he had.
And then he told me that
that was the second time
hed been picked up
for something up like that.
And he told me about a night
when hed been
commissioned in Nevada
and he was taken
to the Colorado River
where there was a river barge
carrying something
twice its size down the river.
And when they got
several hours down the river,
there was a makeshift station,
and they unloaded the cargo
onto two Army trucks.
And when they got done
loading it up,
the same sound we heard
out in the desert
also went through
all of the radios there
on the ground and on the barge.
And then he said
the two Army trucks
drove off into the night
and the sound
faded with them.
So did he know what it was?
No.
But since our
detail in the desert,
hed asked around
and hed heard
about another guy
that knew about the noises.
So we met up with him
off-base,
but he only knew pieces.
Everybody only knows pieces
in the military.
Nobody knows
the whole thing.
And thats
part of the plan.
Which is why
they pieced together teams
from all over the country
and only brought us in
for one task at a time.
So no one would
know everything.
Wait, Im sorry.
Youre gonna have to be clearer.
Is this sound
a military sound?
Thats what we asked
this guy at Walker.
And what did he say?
He said
it wasnt military.
It wasnt military
from any country.
It was coming from
thousands of feet higher
than anything could fly.
How did he know that?
Cause he was
a radar operator.
So are these signals frequent?
No.
Can I ask-- Im assuming
this was before Sputnik.
This was
years before Sputnik.
And signals like yours
have been caught
going back and forth.
What do you mean?
Like communication.
Like one says something here
in this part of the sky
and another
says something back.
Sometimes
they were recorded
at Sputnik heights
and sometimes
just a few hundred feet
off the ground.
Where?
Lots of places.
All over.
What do you mean all over?
Billy?
Billy, I--
think we lost you. Billy?
Well, for the five of you
out there listening,
it looks like we lost Billy.
Let me work on getting him
back on the air.
Im back in a moment.
Fay, what happened?
I dont know. He got cut.
Thats whats been happening--
-We gotta get him back.
-I cant.
-Why not?
-I have no idea where he lives.
Then call the board by Holloman.
We cant. He probably
gave a fake name or--
-You cant dial back
out the line?
-It doesnt work like that.
-Look him up in the phone book.
-Under Billy near Holloman?
Uh-- I know. I know.
Damn it.
Hold on, we got a call,
we got a call!
Name of city, inward.
Connecting.
Cayuga, number please.
Yes, this is Billy.
Ill connect you!
Here he is, Everett.
Billy. Whats going on?
We need your real number.
Im sorry,
but I cant do that.
Okay, then I cant
put you back on the air.
I would like to, but theres
a breach of ethics here,
cause I have no way of knowing
if what youre saying is true.
I know. I understand.
I dont mean
to put you in a place
that would get you
into problems.
Billy, I have to ask--
Why are you
telling us all this?
Is this gonna get us
in trouble?
I suppose Im telling you
cause Im sick.
And Im old.
And no one listens to us.
And I want people to know
what we did for them.
Why do you think
no one listens to you?
I think part of its
cause Im black.
Im sorry
if thats a problem.
No, I dont think it is.
I thought
that might be the case.
Weve just never had
a black caller before.
Im sorry,
I should have
probably told you that.
But everyone
on these details
were black.
Or Mexican.
All of us doing sweat work.
You think they
did that on purpose?
I know they did.
Why?
Cause whos
gonna listen to us?
But theres
a part of all this
that you can check into
so that you know
Im not making this up.
Okay, I think we need that,
cause, you can see why,
at this point,
all we have is your word.
Theres one gentleman
Ill tell you about
in a minute.
Im sorry to interrupt, Billy,
but Im still recording this
even though were not
on the air, all right?
Uh, yes, please do.
Okay. Go ahead, Billy.
And so this guy we talked to
at Walker Base,
the radar operator
who we met off-site,
after he retired,
he didnt stop
with the signals.
In fact, he started
waiting for them
and was trying to record
one of them on his own,
using radio and war surplus
equipment he repaired.
And did he ever get anything?
Yeah, he did.
Finally.
It took a long time,
but one night
he finally got one.
And recorded it.
And then he made copies
and mailed them
to a bunch of us...
guys who had been, uh, around
some of these hidden details.
What did he think
these signals were?
Well, thats where
you have to make the jump.
Because he told us
its something talking
and then disappearing,
something very high
that we cant see.
And he made copies?
Yes.
And he sent them to us.
Different guys on these details
here in the area.
And when I finally got my tape
and got to a player,
and I played it back...
it made my hair
stand up on end.
Why?
Cause they were
the same sounds
Id heard
out in the desert.
Do you still have
that tape?
No.
I didnt want to be caught
with it, so I burned it.
But one of the other guys,
another Air Force gentleman
who had been on one of
these security details
and heard these noises, too,
and he lives in Cayuga,
so he got sent a tape
just like mine.
Thats what I thought
you were playing.
Wait.
Theres one in Cayuga?
With who?
Raymond Buck,
an ex-Air Force gentleman.
So he was mailed a tape with
one of these signals on it?
But Raymond Buck died.
Oh, no.
Did you say
he passed away?
Yes.
I thought that
may have happened.
Im sorry, Billy.
Well, I didnt
know him well, you know.
Do you know where
his tape would be?
No. Maybe if he had kids?
No, Mrs. Buck gave all
his tapes to the library.
Theres not a tape recorder
in the library, Fay.
There is.
Its in the basement.
They havent had a chance
to look at all the tapes,
so they havent put it out.
No, the librarys closed and
no one will be at the board.
Everyones at the game.
No ones gonna call.
I know how to get into
the library.
Billy, what do
you think itll do
if we can find it and play it?
I dont know.
But if youre gonna do it,
you better do it...
cause somethings
up there now.
And they dont stay
for long.
Okay, Fay, run.
Get in!
-Did you steal a car?
-Did you get them? No.
Yes. Come on, get in.
Did you get them?
I stole a bicycle!
Answer me.
-Uh, yes, I got them.
-All right.
Whose car is this?
Mr. McKeans.
Does Mr. McKean know?
Of course not.
Are you gonna give Billy
a piece of Elviss carpet?
What?
You said youd give
the caller who helped us
a piece of Elviss carpet.
Oh.
Yeah, no, thats
not really Elviss carpet.
It was, but we gave it
all away a while back.
So now Jack Sage
and Red Gant have both scraps,
and we give away carpet
from Jess Perviss house.
Everett, thats lying.
People really think
thats Elviss carpet.
Shut up, Fay.
Billy? Its Fay,
the Cayuga operator.
We got a lot of tapes here.
Do you remember
which one it was?
Its been a long time,
but I think it was clear.
Theyre all clear, Billy.
Billy?
The line cut.
What?
Billy?
I cant reconnect him without
going back to the board.
Yeah, dont go. Just hand me
those one at a time.
And get out of my chair.
So you dont believe
Mr. Billy?
I dont know.
But if theres something
in the sky, I want to know.
Baxter is a four-year--
No.
Next one.
How you know what
youre looking for?
I dont.
Could he have
recorded over it?
Uh, yeah.
Yeah, absolutely.
Unfortunately.
So I did and--
What is that recorder?
This is the Maggie PT-6.
Maggie?
Yeah, for Magnecord.
Its like the broadcast brother
to your recorder.
Its how we play
the games and ads.
People really listen
to the games the next day,
even though they
know what happened?
Yeah, they do.
They dont care they know.
They just wanna hear
their kids name on the radio.
Silent night
Holy night--
Thats not it.
Is any of this gonna
get you in trouble?
Well, if it does,
I dont care.
This is good radio.
And itll get me
a better job somewhere else.
Where would you wanna go?
I dont know.
At that point...
Probably West Coast.
Thats where everythings
happening in radio.
I wanna get out, too.
Not till Maddys older,
of course, but sometime.
To where? To do what?
Want to go to college?
Eh, probably just to work on
a bigger switchboard somewhere.
Right now, I could work
in a hospital or a hotel
or a school
on their switchboard.
But if I wanna work
on a bigger board,
Id have to transfer
to a bigger city
and get hired on
by the phone company.
No college?
Cant afford college, Everett.
Theres loans.
You could look into that.
Id love that.
Golly Moses.
Oh, Everett.
Thats it.
And its clearer.
What are you gonna do?
Folks, we got another sound
we do need your help with.
Listen up and let us know.
And, Billy,
if this is the sound,
give us a call.
All right.
Here it is, cats.
Oh, my gosh.
Everett?
Oh, my gosh.
Are you
playing a trick on me?
Im not.
Hold still.
Whats going on?
Calm down. Theres
a flashlight somewhere.
Whats going on, Everett?
Hey, Fay, calm down!
Silver flashlight.
I knew it was something.
I knew it. I knew it.
- Fuck.
-Whatd you do?
I didnt do anything!
I dont know!
Theres lights out here.
We-- Damn it. We just
experienced a blackout
after playing that...
- What are you doing?
-Im recording for later
in case we got news.
-Why do you change
your voice like that?
-Like what?
When youre on the radio,
you always change your voice!
Why do you do that?
Cause thats
how radio sounds!
Look, I dont need
your judgment right now.
Oh, no.
Ah, what?
-The switchboard!
-Fay, wait!
Goddamn, Fay!
Get in!
Oh, I shouldnt have
been gone that long.
Why you always running?
We drove here.
We dont have a car.
I never ride in cars.
I walk everywhere.
All right, no sweat.
So you still dont think
somethings going on?
I think if anythings
happening, its that
were being spied on
or were about to
be invaded.
By who?
Soviets.
You really think so?
100%, absolutely.
And this is exactly
where theyd come in, too,
southern border.
Number please.
Sorry for the wait.
Number please.
Ill connect you.
Uh, Im not sure.
No, youre the first one to--
Yes, well let them know.
Thank you.
Number please. Yes, were
notifying highway patrol.
Uh, well relay
any news to you.
-Thank you. Thank you.
Number please.
Sorry for the wait.
All right, thank you.
Goodbye.
Thank you. Goodbye.
People are saying
theres something in the sky.
Its 7:45.
Write that down.
Cant you just record it?
Yeah.
Folks, it is 7:45 p.m.
and we may have something--
-Did you see it?
-Did it cross over? What?
Theres something in the sky.
We followed it from Culp Canyon.
Im Bertsie. This is Gerrie.
Im going by Gerald now.
Please call me Gerald.
I forgot. Im sorry.
Im Everett. This is Fay.
The power cut off at the radio--
You work at the radio station?
I do Highway Hits.
-Were you listening?
-We drove 80 mph.
It was something in the sky.
He does the old stuff.
I do the hits.
No, we dont listen to--
I dont like new stuff,
but Gerrie does.
-Oh.
Number please.
Yes, Everetts here. Would you
like to speak with him here?
Okay, Ill connect you.
Everett, come to board one!
Theres a lady calling in
for the station!
Here.
Hello. This is Everett
"the Maverick" Sloan, WOTW.
I can tell you whats going on.
What do you mean?
I can tell you more
about what that fellow
told you on the radio
and give you more
for your radio show.
Okay, go ahead.
No.
I would prefer you
to come to my house.
I would like to tell you here.
Theres something
in the sky, maam.
I know.
Thats what I want
to talk to you about.
I can tell you a lot more
than you know right now
if you come here.
I think what I can tell you
would be very important tonight.
All right,
whats your address?
1616 Sycamore.
Sixteen-si-- All right.
Youll need to get a key
from the flowerpot
on the front porch.
I leave it there for the boy
that brings me groceries.
I wont be able
to come the door.
I cant walk much anymore.
But Ill be here.
All right, Ill be there
in one or two minutes.
Uh, whats your name?
Mabel Blanche.
Okay, Mrs. Blanche,
well see you shortly. Bye-bye.
She said she can tell us
whats going on. Come on.
I told her wed be
there in a minute.
Who?
This old lady caller said
she can tell us
whats going on.
You know her?
Whats she gonna tell you?
No, I dont.
She said come immediately.
To tell you what?
-How do you know
shes not crazy?
-I dont. She could be.
But she sounded fine.
Its one minute,
down Ayers, on Sycamore.
-Were gonna stay here.
-Will you find us
if you see anything?
Yes. Will you find us
if you learn anything?
Yes, I will.
Her lines there.
You can turn the key--
I dont know a frogs ribbit
about those things.
Okay, never mind.
What in the world, Fay?
I dont know.
She never calls in at night.
Shes a shut-in.
This could be news.
You really think so?
I really do.
Should I have brought
my tape recorder?
No, this ones better.
Mine not good enough?
Its--
No, its fine, but its
not broadcast quality.
Its good,
but its more like a toy.
I dont mean that in a way
to get your feelings hurt.
You wont hurt my feelings.
Good.
Cause I hurt
girls feelings a lot.
Dont be a jerk all the time,
probably wont hurt--
You are on the stick
with me tonight!
Wait up.
No, you hurry up.
Okay.
Im back here.
Who is she?
Im Everett.
Shes the switchboard operator.
Shes my friend.
Is that okay?
Yes, thats fine.
You can sit down.
Youre the one on the phone?
Yes.
How old are you, sweetie?
Sixteen.
Oh, well, I dont have
a dad, but, uh,
my mom is Yodi Crocker.
Can I ask
what you were saying
while we were walking in?
That was very alarming.
I know it was.
Im sorry.
I will explain myself.
Im not some witch,
I promise.
Do you mind if we tell people
what you tell us on the radio?
Thats why Im telling you.
And can we record you,
in case this is a news story?
Of course.
I hope we will be
a news story.
Ive been waiting
my whole life for this.
Okay, thank you.
Uh, also, uh,
we wanna hear everything
you have to tell us,
but we have a very short
amount of time.
So if we have to--
Then let me get right to it.
I listen to your broadcast,
every night.
I think youre very good,
and I hope you can
get far away from here.
Thank you.
I will tell you
what is happening,
but I will have
one request for you
when I have finished.
Okay.
Ill do whatever I can.
The gentleman
that called in--
I believe his stories,
because I have
a companion story to his.
It started
before his stories.
Theyve come here before.
And now that these things
are happening more often,
we have a better idea
of what might be out there.
Ever since I was a little girl,
theyve liked this place.
They always have.
Who?
The people in the sky.
So you truly believe that?
I dont have to
truly believe it.
Its just the truth.
-And can you tell me why?
-Yes, I can.
Have you ever heard
about the Boles Acres Raid?
No.
Well,
when I was still little,
they finished
the Alamogordo-El Paso
rail line.
And one day, a passenger train
coasted to a stop outside town.
When the deputies got there,
it was completely empty.
Everyone assumed
the Apaches took them,
so they called it
the Boles Acres Raid.
But a few days later...
a beat-up young lady
came into town
who had jumped
off that train.
Out in the brush-- Shed been
hiding out there somewhere.
She was dehydrated
and wouldnt talk.
My friend Charlottes family
took her in.
They fed her,
gave her a bed,
Charlottes bed actually,
and they telegraphed someone
in El Paso to come get her
so they could get
some answers.
Charlottes dad was
the Methodist minister.
Batsell Breff.
He started the church here.
My-- My parents died
when I was little,
so I lived
many weeks of the year
with Charlottes family.
When my brothers
and sisters were working
or had too many mouths
to feed.
But that night...
that woman from the train
started muttering
something in her sleep,
in Charlottes room.
It wasnt English
or Spanish or Indian.
So we opened the door
a crack to listen.
Wed never heard it before,
but I remembered it.
And then,
before the next day,
she disappeared,
crawled out the window
and stole a horse,
believe it or not.
So if you ever hear
about the old horse witch,
thats where
the story came from.
My older sister raised me.
But mostly I lived alone.
I made dresses and tablecloths
and what have you.
I was still young
when I met Claude Maynard.
He was part of the crew
putting telephone lines in.
We fell in love,
and I conceived
my son with him
without being married.
I actually didnt know that
was how you made a baby,
believe it or not.
He said hed come back
when he finished work
in White Sands,
and I believed him,
but he never did.
When my baby was born,
I named him Hollis.
A few people were
kind to me, but...
mostly I was
on my own with him.
This wasnt a neighborhood
or a town like it is today.
It was scattered houses
around the buildings
on Ayers.
I was a lonely mother,
but I did my best.
And later on, I heard Claude
had died stringing up lights
in a cave in Texas
for a tourist operation.
Of course,
that broke my heart.
But to get back to when
Hollis was still a baby.
One night,
after Id nursed him,
he was asleep in my arms,
and he started making
the sounds of an infant.
And then
they became clearer.
More vocal.
And then he spoke
his first words.
And the same words
I heard come from that
confused woman at Charlottes
started coming from
the mouth of my ten-month-old
in his sleep.
I tried to tell
a few people.
I went to a doctor
in another town.
He said it was baby noises
and I shouldnt
tell anyone else.
Hollis always
behaved differently.
He fixated on objects.
He wouldnt hear you.
And in his sleep,
occasionally I would hear him...
say those words.
So I wrote them down.
Word for word.
I asked him about it,
but... he didnt know.
He didnt know.
And one night, when he was
about four years old...
it got really windy outside.
And there was a sound,
like a really large windmill.
And Hollis set his gaze
on the window.
And he wouldnt respond.
So I... read
the muttering to him.
And his eyes closed
and he looked up
at the ceiling
and he didnt move.
And then his lips
moved with mine.
And a few moments
after I stopped...
he opened his eyes
and went back to playing.
I tried it again
a few days later,
but nothing.
So I figured
there must be something
out there on those nights,
telling him something
that no one can hear.
Radio was pretty new,
and thats what
I thought it was.
Or something
from the occult.
And then when he was nine,
I got the feeling
that something
was out there again.
And that night,
in the middle of the night,
he walked out the front door
of this house and vanished.
How?
He was taken up
from this Earth.
There were no other houses.
It was very dry.
I followed his footprints
out the front door...
out to about 150 feet...
and they stopped
there in the dirt.
And he wasnt there.
They took my son...
and no one
has ever believed me.
Was there an investigation?
Of course.
But the whole thing turned
to an investigation of me.
People were convinced that
my son had ruined my life...
so I killed him.
So did you recognize the sound
we played on the radio tonight?
No.
But I believe I know
what is going on.
Can you tell me what that is?
I believe theyre
up there tonight.
Right now.
And I think
there are some reasons
to support that idea.
Like what?
I think they stay away
from big cities.
I think they wait
for people to get together
in one place, like tonight,
and when everyone
gets out of that game,
theyre going to be gone.
I think
they like people alone.
Mmm. And I think
they talk to people
with some kind of
advanced radio,
in their sleep.
Right, like you think
they did with your son?
I didnt just think this up.
I think,
at the lowest level,
they send people on errands.
They play
with peoples minds.
They sway people
to do things
and think certain ways
so that we stay in conflict,
focused on ourself.
So that were always
cleaning house or losing weight
or dressing up for other people.
I think they get inside
our heads and make us do
destructive things,
like drink and overeat.
Ive seen good people go bad
and smart people go mad.
I think,
at the highest level,
they do things
that cause nations
to go to war.
Things that make no sense.
And I think no one knows
theyre being affected.
We all work out other reasons
to justify our actions.
But free will isnt possible
with them up there.
Ive had an entire life
to think about this.
Years alone.
And thats what I think.
Well, Im sorry about everything
thats happened in your life
to lead you to these ideas.
Thank you.
Like I said in the beginning,
we dont want to offend you,
-but we do have to
kind of get going.
-I know.
But I did have
a request for you.
Of course.
I want you
to take me with you.
-Take you with us?
-Yes. Right now.
Im sorry.
Uh, where do you
want us to take you?
To the ship.
I want to see my son.
I know hes here tonight.
Up there.
And I want you to take me
to the ship.
Fay, lets go.
-Now.
-Wait.
Take this.
Say this when you
encounter people tonight.
Weve got to find a camera
or something. My friend
Gretchens dad has one.
Fay, I dont think theres
really anything up there,
not like shes talking about.
Everett.
What? What?
I forgot about
Ethel and Maddy.
Wait. Fay, what?
Ethel? Ethel?
Maddy.
Come here, come here.
Its okay. Sissys got you.
Come on, lets go.
Its gonna be okay.
Come on.
Were okay. Lets go.
Gretchen? Gretchen, Im gonna
need your dads camera.
Whats going on?
Is everything okay?
Here, take her. I dont know.
Were you listening
to the radio at all?
-Whos at the switchboard?
-No one. I left.
Why are you out of breath?
Somethings going on.
It might be an emergency.
I need the camera.
Youre gonna get me
in trouble.
Have you heard from Ethel?
Shes not home.
She was babysitting
Maddy, and I called--
I dont know.
I havent seen her.
I called
and the line got cut.
Fay! Damn it!
Whos that?
Its Everett.
Everett, the radio boy?
Yes. Stop smiling.
Whats he doing here?
Hes helping me.
Stop smiling.
What are you doing inside?
Im in my nightgown.
Im not looking, Gretchen,
and I dont care
what you look like
in your nightgown.
-Okay, lets go.
-You cant bring her.
You cant take the camera.
Go ask my dad at the game.
Theres no time.
This is an emergency.
What is?
Whats going on?
Theres something in the sky.
Stay in the house.
We dont know that.
You cant go
telling people that.
Youre gonna start a panic.
Everybodys at the game,
and she sure cant call anybody,
so stop telling me what to do
and go find
the couple from Culp Canyon.
All right. No sweat.
Why do you have your sister?
Ethels not there. She was
supposed to be babysitting.
Well, where is she?
I dont know.
Is that camera gonna work?
Yes, I can make it work.
Ive used it before.
Think the radios still down?
Oh, theres no telling.
Ethel!
Yes! Where were you?
Gabe came by--
God, youre with Gabe?
What were you thinking?
We were on his roof.
Theres something in the sky.
Have you seen it?
-No. Whatd you see?
-Get in! Its outside of town!
-Come on, come on, come on!
-Fay, come on!
Come on, come on! Get in!
-Stay inside the house!
- Fay, come on!
Ethel said Gabe came over
and they got on the roof
and saw something in the sky!
Who saw what?
Get in.
Did you get the camera?
Who saw what?
My cousin Ethel--
she was babysitting,
so they got up on the roof.
-They saw something in the sky.
-Where? What did it look like?
She said it was round.
Hiding in the clouds.
What did you find out
from the old woman?
She said theyre up there.
The people in the sky.
Yeah, they have advanced radio
and communication.
And they take people up.
For real?
Thats what she said?
Exactly.
Matter of fact,
she read us this--
Uh, hold on.
...Id nursed him,
he was asleep in my arms--
...when I was little,
- so I lived...
Im back here.
Everett, stop the tape.
Stop the tape!
Okay, okay. Gerald?
-Gerald? Hey.
-Everett, take the wheel!
Ive got Maddy!
-Gerald, wake up, man! Gerald!
-Gerald!
-Gerald!
- Gerald!
I want out! Okay?
- Slow down!
- Hold on!
No!
Let me out now, please!
Im so sorry.
Let me out of here!
I want to go home!
- Please leave us be!
- Im so sorry.
Come back here
so we can take you home!
-There are rattlesnakes!
-Please go! Please!
Im right here, Fay.
Im right here.
Its fine.
What is it?
Its burnt.
Trees are burnt, too.
Oh, my gosh.
Oh, no.
Theyre here.
Theyre really here.
Do you think
theyre in the forest?
I dont know.
Everett, please dont.
Everett.
Please. Dont.