Escape: Finger of Doom & The Adaptive Ultimate | Old Time Radio Double Bill
Summary
This episode features two classic science fiction and mystery tales. First, "Finger of Doom" follows a man whose fiancée vanishes into thin air, leading to a conspiracy involving spies and a doppelgänger. Second, "The Adaptive Ultimate" tells the story of a scientist whose experimental serum grants a dying woman the power to instantly adapt to any situation, turning her into a dangerous, shape-shifting threat to global peace.
Topics discussed
Introduction to the Escape radio program
Narrator sets the scene for the adventure
The protagonist and his girlfriend discuss a delivery
Arriving at the apartment building for the package
The girlfriend enters the building and disappears
The protagonist waits and grows increasingly worried
Searching for the janitor to open the apartment
The janitor reveals the apartment has been empty
The protagonist insists his girlfriend is still inside
Police arrive and begin investigating the disappearance
Detective Gilman questions the protagonist about the girl
Investigating the press clipping service where she worked
Reviewing the client list and questioning the boss
Confronting the boss at the press clipping service
The boss produces a different woman claiming to be Steffi
The protagonist realizes the woman is not his girlfriend
Promotional break for other CBS programs
The protagonist argues with the detective about the impostor
Examining the impostor's belongings for clues
The detective questions the protagonist's motives
The protagonist describes his girlfriend's room in detail
Visiting the rooming house to verify the room's contents
The protagonist escapes the police and searches for Steffi
The protagonist is chased across the rooftops
The detective theorizes about how Steffi was taken
Suspecting espionage and planning to find the landlady
Searching the rooming house and finding a radio
Rescuing Steffi from a burning building
The couple reunites and the story concludes
New story: A scientist discusses a new serum
The scientist plans to test the serum on a patient
Introducing the patient, Kira Zelas
Administering the serum to Kira
Observing the rapid healing effects of the serum
Discharging Kira from the hospital
Arranging for Kira to live with the scientist
Kira disappears and a commotion occurs in the park
Kira is accused of a crime and taken to court
The witness describes the suspect in the park
The defense argues the suspect is not the woman described
The court examines the suspect's hair and eyes
The scientist reflects on the unintended consequences
Kira returns with new clothes and a changed demeanor
Discussing Kira's adaptive powers and potential dangers
Debating how to handle Kira's growing power
Kira disappears again and news of her emerges
Kira becomes a powerful figure in world politics
Kira visits the scientist's home
A conversation between Kira and the scientist's friend
The scientist's friend worries about Kira's plans
Kira forces the scientist's hand during an operation
Planning to use carbon dioxide to incapacitate Kira
Monitoring the carbon dioxide levels in the room
Kira collapses and a visitor arrives
Closing credits for the Escape program
Listen ad-free on Castria