What happens
On a tense afternoon, a government advisory group receives an ultimatum from an enemy power, which gives them thirty minutes to surrender or face a devastating missile attack. Chairman Williams leads the committee as members argue over whether to strike first, weighing the risk of radioactive fallout against the threat of conquest. Dr. Harrison argues the enemy is bluffing, while others press for immediate retaliation. Mr. Pice asks to phone his wife in Washington, and the room debates whether to warn the public. The episode is an installment of the Suspense radio series, first broadcast on April 17, 1960, and this portion of the story ends before the deadline arrives.
A government advisory committee room during an urgent crisis, with a deadline of 5:55.
Characters: Williams, Dr. Harrison, Dr. Hest, Mr. Pice, Chanin, Ed
Listen for: The debate over whether to attack first, and the arguments about the enemy's intentions.
Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.