High Adventure: Barrier

one man with a hidden hate, then add footsteps in underground darkness where no man has walked before. The total reads, High Adventure. This is High Adventure. Here now is the meeting place for those who like stories of hard action, hard men, and smooth women. Welcome members New and old, for on this meeting's records is a news story with a problem as old as man.

It's titled, barrier, and it's written and directed for the high adventure society by Robert Monroe. It concerns a man called Ward Deltom. And here at Ward himself to tell it. Ward? I suppose all men find themselves going in the wrong direction at one time or another in their lives.

I suppose too that a lot of them never find out they're wrong until it's too late to do anything about it. It has something to do with the way you think. At least it did in my case.

I'd worked with John Rockwood for three years at the university, but it wasn't until we took the trip to Dry Ridge that I found out the truth about myself. There were three of us on that trip.

John, myself, and Grace. I'm going to have a piece of luck like this fall into our hands. Why, I believe I'm actually excited. I know I am. There's no telling what we'll find. A cave that's been closed for thousands of years.

Maybe never opened before. It'll be good for the prestige of the University and the Discoveries, but it'll be good for your prestige, John. Too bad, Doc Evans couldn't come. This is more in his department.

You'll do even better. You know, maybe I will attend. I used to play around in caves down in Boone County when I was a boy. Now how I'm going back to do it scientifically. I make it get claustrophobia.

I don't know. You will when you have to crawl on your stomach and to put tongue over the court. Mine. Sounds rough. You didn't expect to pick me, did you? No, I guess not. A large part of the cavern is almost a mile into the side of a cliff.

You have to work with a small passage to get there. That's fine as far as I'm concerned. Fine. We'll be pretty sure mobs of curious people haven't been trapping in and out. Oh, I don't think they have if it's that far on the ground.

That's what I mean. Ah, we ought to be in pretty soon. I'll ask the conductor. Bring me a drink of water, will you, John? Glad you. You too, Lord? No, very... This is happy as a kid on vacation.

It is a vacation, Warren. Yes, I suppose it is. John's needed one, too. Haven't you noticed it? Did you need one too? I am on vacation. This is my quarter up. Just started. Oh, no, freshman English.

No, thank goodness. You never seemed like a teacher to meet Ward. Well, it's all right, I suppose. I always thought you'd come back from the war and be a big man in some industry. Well, you know how it is? John offered me the instructorship and chemistry.

I wanted to rest a while, so I took it. I wanted a nice country. I like riding along, watching fields roll past. Yes. Don't you? I'm happy. I'm glad you are. I guess we're happy too.

We? John and I are going to be married. Married? At the end of this quarter. We haven't told anyone yet, but you're such a good friend of John. You ought to be among the first to hear about it.

Yes, I suppose I should. Don't you think it's a good idea? Yes, I do. I'm happy for both of you. I'm sure. If this cave exploring gets John a little more prestige with the University, which it should, He'll be more secure, and they might even give him a full professorship.

Just last night. Sounds rather sudden, but actually it isn't. Oh, excuse me. Don't let John know I told you, Ward. I'm sure he wants to break the news himself. No, no, I won't say anything.

No, how he is. Of course. Well, I spell most of it, but here's what's left. Half-senders, half-water. I like it that way. Why, you don't spell it too. I probably will. We'll get there in about an hour.

Then, for the big adventure, deep underground where no man has been before. We'll have to get some equipment first thing. You didn't forget the list, did you, Ward? What? The list of supplies. Don't you have it?

Oh, yes, I have it. What's the matter, aren't you excited? In a couple of hours, we'll be examining what may be a great geological fine. Sure, it's fine. I don't look so serious. This is going to be fun.

Yes. Come on, snap out of it. I'm sorry, I was just thinking of something. What? I... Nothing important. Here's the list. I think you'll find everything but a bulldozer carefully item on it. Maybe we'll need that too before we're through.

We'll need lights, electric if we can get them. spring wire in the cave and then... A day too late. Day too late, just one day. Three years of war, then three years of teaching the same flow sheets.

Just for one opportunity. Then when I get rid of enough shyness to make a decision, it's a day too late. One day. We get off the train at Dry Ridge, fought supplies and rented a car and drove up the road along the river until we came to the cave.

The rock fall from a cliff face that exposed the opening. a private hole about two feet in diameter. While Grace made camp, John pulled electric manners in the car and warmed his way through the opening.

I followed scraping along on my stomach, his boot heels in my face. It was dark, it was hard going. You notice we're following the line of the fault ward. Well, I can see a desk.

A lot of it isn't there. Yeah. It's getting larger now. I think we can almost stand up at... It's bad times. Yes. Watch your head. Wonderful place. Like a tomb. You mean you don't like it?

Right. I guess it's not what I expected, John. You thought a cave would be like what you see in pictures. The beautiful stalagmites and stalactites all over the place. Beautiful stream of clear water. Well, this could be like that. You can't tell what we'll find.

There's water somewhere out here. Here we'll bother with it now. We're almost in the weather. Big room is supposed to be. Isn't this far enough for today? enough for today and tired a little but I the mud damn Brock all around this illusion I suppose so yes I should have told you it wasn't a picnic we'll go back

no as long as we've gone this farm still with you I'm glad you are Ward I don't know of anybody else I'd rather have a lot let's see what's up here yes just in a scene mud under you can you imagine going in here without lights bump your head at every step be pretty lonely.

But in all here, watch your head. I see it. I don't think you have to be in the dark of the cave to be lonely. No, you don't. Widening out now. The wider the better.

Not like over there, is it? No. Look, why should I die badly? It's big enough. Still have claustrophobia? I don't know. Must be 100 feet to the roof. So I make it hide in here.

I think it has both mammoth and Carl's bad feet. I'm sure it's Roger. Well, now what? Didn't take months to explore. Yes. Well, let's go back. You're always in a hurry war. I just want to get out in the sunlight again.

To see Grace? What? I bit you to do it. Beat me to what? Grace and I are going to be marrying the soldier. She's my territory now. Yes, she told me. Grace told you? Yes. When?

On the train. Well, now you know. Yes, I do. Let's forget it. I never thought she'd take me into the view. I said, let's forget it, will you? I know how you felt. I haven't been blind, but I'm a killing school.

And I wish you all the luck in the world. I suppose I would be a better result. Listen, what is it? A moral. Something's falling. I gotta get out of here. Look at the roof!

Coming down! Question! I was looking. Ward.

What made it to be out so long? I don't know. Finally making sense. What? What's the matter? How do you feel, Ward? Headaches. The doctor said you'll be alright once you came out of it.

What... What happened? Oh. Yeah, how'd I get here? When I heard the noises from the cave, I got worried and went to the state police. They went in and pulled you out. You guys had no business in there without somebody to look after you.

What? Oh, well, police. You've been unconscious for over a day. Roof came down on a sale to it, limestone caves. Just started to fall in. Noisimate started vibrations. Nobody had been in there before. Yeah, I suppose that's what it was.

You or your friend, Rock, what should I own that? Where am I now? Hospital. Yes, Ward, in Dry Ridge. Oh, people well enough to get up? Yes, I think I can. I'd like a little rest.

Sorry, but you don't have much time. Much time? The cave is closing up. We tried to shore up the roof, and we can't stop it. Well, that's an engineering job. You won't be able to get in if you wait much longer.

Get in. I'm not going back in there. John's still in the cave. You want to see Ward? Still in there, doesn't he know when he's had enough? He's had enough, all right? Please. I'm not going in there again.

John wants to see me and I come up here. who do you think he is i get i get hit please ward john can't come or can't now mister and you couldn't either get a couple of hundred tons of rock pining it on is right leg is caught under the ball they've been trying to get him loose but there's not enough room to work

they've been drilling around him but it hasn't done any good even in the papers in the city making a big story out of it i don't know why i see i wanted to go in and see a more but they wouldn't let them to dangerous somebody else get trapped in there if we can't stop that seem

The Johnson word out for you to come in ward. Well can't they pry up the rock and pull him out? You can't pry up a whole cliff. You better come with your fuel. You can or you won't have a chance.

The tunnel roof is slipping an inch every hour. Think you can make it? An inch every hour. That's what the shoring we put in. Be more than that if we let it alone. But why does he want me to come in?

What can I do? You're his friend, aren't you? Yes. It's pretty serious, Ward. Well, you got food into him, water. strong electric line in to keep warm. It was dark in there. Got the lights around his chest so we'll get the heat needs heat more than light.

Or isn't there anything you can do? We're doing all we can. We were going to amputate his leg then we could have brought him out, had the surgeon ready to go in everything but he wouldn't let us.

If we don't stop the roof nobody will get in. And John won't get out. You'll strong it up to come along. Yes. Yes, I'll come. Finally came. I... how was in the hospital?

They told me. How was your head? Sorry. I'm over closer. I can't come over where you are. How do you feel? Like hurts a little. Did I give you anything for you? Yes, but the pain is still there.

Doctor said to take these pills. Put them in my mark, will you? Sure. I hope they help. It'll be nice to get outside again. The sun's shining. No, I think it's going to rain. That's too bad.

Will you pull a blanket over my shoulder ward? It's slipped off. Shit. That's much better. Anything you need? No, I'm quite comfortable. Ooh, what? You'd be surprised how much heat you can get from electric light bulbs.

John, I asked you to get my permission about the leg, didn't they? Is that what you're going to say? It's a quick way to get out of here. Well, I'm not in that much of a hurry.

I can stand with a little convenience if it means saving a leg. One of the workers even brought in a newspaper so I can read it. You're famous. I'm not exactly that one But it's strange seeing my name and headlines Everybody wants to know if you'll be safe as if there was any doubt about it

Makes a good story. I suppose that's it I'm glad you came or They said you wanted me to I did was there is something you wanted me to do? Oh no I just wanted to finish our conversation when we started when the roof came.

It's not important. Yes, it is. A great deal more so now. What I'm not a youngster that has to be lied to. What do you mean? I know I'm not going to get out of here. I can talk as if I am, but I'm quite sure I won't.

You will if you... It may be better this way after all. Don't try to be optimistic with me. I heard what some of the men said when they were working on me. I can read the newspaper.

And I certainly have the sense of logic. All right. All right, of course I'll be just as cheerful if anyone else comes in again, but at least with you I can be true, can't I?

If that's what you want. As I said, it may be better this way. A great deal better than living with. How? Well, I suppose eventually I would have lost grace to you, but this way I will. I won't ever lose it, and I won't ever be forgotten.

Go on. She'll always remember me as a great man, the man she should have married. She may even turn away from you because of it, so I'll never lose it to you. Very simple one.

What about her? I just told you about her. You weren't her tied to the memory of a man she didn't love. She'll never know that she didn't want. I know you must have thought that everything will be solved for you with me buried in a cave, but believe me it isn't.

I'll have her, and you won't. She'll honor my memory. She'll be sure she loved me, which is more than I'd be sure of if I lived. What happens to grace the rest of her life you don't care?

Whether she's happy or not doesn't matter, it's fine that she'll mourn for you when you smile about me. Of course I can smile. That's what I want. Giant saying, oh, I thought about it for a long time.

The opportunity came so I simply took it. Perhaps they would like the money but to me. That's more than I'd get as a chemist because she won't waste her life away for you. I'll see to that.

You won't be able to stop him. Goodbye, Ward. Give my love to Grace, will you? This needs a police cause. No, it's a negative broadcast.

We're talking about Tom. Well, if the state trooper will let you sit in his car, I suppose he might have to. Please go, I want to listen. The picture of courage. Report saying he is completely sure he will be saved.

I was overseas and I saw a man under fire who faced almost un-in durable pain and certain with a calm smile that John Rockwood has. In other parts of the world tonight... Will I save him the war?

I don't know. They can't take any more food in doing it. The entrance is closed up too much. I was just over by the cliff there, drilling holes around the sea. How will that help?

I don't know. John sent word out to me with the last man who went in. He said to wait for him that we'll be married when he gets out. There isn't any hope is there war?

No, Grace. Grace. Yes. I... Look at me. Ward, please. You knew I came back to state because of you. I... You never said any... I know I didn't, but you knew anyway. Ward! You can't let this throw you. You can't let it get us mixed up.

You didn't come to see me at phone. I had to get myself straightened out. Tom asked me to marry him and I said I would. I know you did, but that's over now. I can't look.

You never loved John. All this doesn't change it. Even his death death. No! He's not the man you think he is. He's the finest man I know he isn't going to die. That's the way he wants you to think Grace.

I thought you were his friend. I am, but he is. I'm not giving up hope. You can, but I'm not. Grace will you listen. Don't touch me. You're acting just the way he wanted you to.

If I am, I'm glad. Something happened to him in there. Something happened to you. You don't love him. Maybe I do. Maybe I do now more than I ever thought I could. Grace, you've got to understand.

I'm sorry, Ward. That's how I feel. I think I'll wait for it before. Yes. That's what he said you do. Go, Pam. Exactly what he said. Well, maybe one last try. I thought you two might like to watch.

What is it? Well, you've said some charges on the side of the cliff. All we can do is dynamite and see what happens. Isn't that dangerous to John? He can't live it. We don't get food to him.

We have to try something and it won't be any worse that we're sure of. You coming? Yes. Want to watch it, Joe, Pam? Yes. Yes, I do. Oh by the river. I don't think we better go any closer than that. Now we'll see.

It's not gonna be alright. I hope it works for your sake. You're gonna marry him, the paper said. Yes. Yes I am. I'm Fred! Wish your pal luck, Del Camp. If you want him saved, this is his last chance, so start praying.

I am. You won't come with me. I want to stay here in Dry Ridge for a while. After that, I'm not sure.

One of the new statements is planning to promote a collection throughout the country. I'd like to stay and help with them. Collection? They thought it would be nice to erect something in a man of John.

Money, I mean. Perhaps. Something on top of the cliff. So were a brave man for his life. Lost. We haven't decided yet just what it will be. Let's see. I'll be at the university if you want.

I mean, Ward, I want to say something, but I can't. You don't have to say anything, Grace. I do, but it's like... Like there's something in the way. I know. Do you understand, Ward? Well, it's God. Let me know I'll wait.

I'm not sure it ever will be. Ward? You better get on. Yes. Goodbye, Ward. Drama of men and women living the greatest emotional peak in their lifetimes. Their moment of high adventure.

Thank you, Ward Delcom, and we'll play show story in the archives of the High Adventure Society and market hold for future publications. And at next week's meeting, friends, we're going to a quarter mile of oil-soaked track for our moment of thrilling action, and we're proud to present one of the most famous of the

high adventure tales. It's called Hot Runaround, and concerns a man who carried a grudge on one shoulder and death on the other in a cock pit of a racing car. Sound exciting? It is. Hot Runaround.

Next week on High Adventure. A feature tonight in the High Adventure World Award was lost in survey with Charlotte Lawrence, Don Douglas, and Ogden Miles. The podcast engineer was equal to mine.

Sound was by Ronnie Hopper, and the high adventure orchestra was under the direction of Sylvan LeVin. Remember, next week, mutual presents Hot Runaround, an auto racing story of, high adventure, Carl Caruso speaking. This program has come to you from our New York studios.

We invite you to stay tuned now for Billy Rose Pitching More Shoes, which follows in just a moment. This is the world's largest network serving more than 480 radio stations, the mutual broadcasting system.