Listen America; Conrad Richter

The University of North Carolina presents listen America directed by John Clayton and produced by Johnny Lee for the University of North Carolina communication center. Earl when directed to do this series we went to 13 of the top authors of this country and asked them if there was something they would like to say at this time to the radio audiences of America. We told them that of course there would be no censorship from the University of North Carolina that they could select anything that could be a big one or every day as they chose and they could write it up as they wanted to play a dialogue a talk. One of these writers was Conrad Richter. Mr. Richter agreed to do this and sent us a play dealing with the inner turmoil of a modern scientist. And in a real sense the inner doubts of the nation's soul. I remember thinking when I arrived. I had known it would be like this. I wouldn't come. I wouldn't have driven more than a thousand miles

to see it again. Triangle of remembering. That shot in the rich brown farming land. The place where I was born and bred here if anywhere I had felt I could find myself again. And yet now that I had come it didn't mean anything it seemed hollow and dead like every other place I had been since a strange affliction came over me. It's true that something must be seriously wrong with me something different perhaps. And yet quite as deadly in its way as the burdens of atomic radiation I first suspected. Everything changed. Even the place where I was born has a higher steel fence topped with strands of barbed wire at our side and saying no admission.

Yes sir I would like permission to go to church but for just to look around. I was raised here can't do that. It's too late in the day. Besides no civilians allowed. This is the United States military reservation. Very secret and highly dangerous. I know that I believe I have a right to visit the graves of my parents. You have to prove who you are. Let me get a list of the people buried here. Here now are now what's the name my father's name was Dr John. My name is Peter Henry. I'm sorry I didn't know you talk to Henry. I can see it's you know from your pictures. I'll phone Colonel Helen back you're here. I didn't come to see how the back. I just want permission to go in and look around by myself.

Yes sir. I'll speak to the colonel sir. You'll just take a minute. Let me speak the colonel had him back quickly. Colonel this is the guard at the main gate sir but Dr. Peter hammers here. Yes sir the one who made the he don't want to come up. No. Alone all alone yes or I'll tell him the Colonel's coming down doctor had a right to I'm sorry to keep you waiting Doctor. If you had let us know you were coming we'd have been ready for you just the same if you can give me a few minutes I'll take you around. Thank you. But it's not official this is just a personal one. I'm not working right now. In fact I've been made up a bit so

you know I know that I was injured. I'd like to visit my parents graves and look around. By myself. I'm sure you'll understand. Certainly if that's what you want I'll have my chauffeur drive you around. If you don't mind I'd like to go it alone. I understand sir. Unfortunately the regulations are very strict as you know visitors are required to have guards. Even the most distinguished ones something might blow up or you might get lost. Even men who lived in the valley all their lives come back to work here and get confused. Everything's been changed around. I'm sure though that if I phoned want oh no that's alright take a guy. But ask him to stay as far behind me as he can. I can't go in that way. I don't want to go at all. I see when I stop tell him to stop behind me and we hope you have a patient man. I may stand looking at nothing as far as he's concerned for a long time.

Yes just as you say doctor. And right guard you take Doctor hand right through. You heard what he wants. I'll have relief sent for you here. As I drove through the stone I saw that the valet had used. I hardly knew where I was anymore. But surely that box could. I stop my car. I'm trying to find out where's the road that used to come down

over Penny hill up there anymore. The government didn't want it. They used to walk that road as a boy. How's that sir. Well perhaps you can tell me whose house this used to be over here I don't know. Whoever they are they kicked about getting out. You can bet on that. What did they kick about anything and everything. First they said they didn't they didn't have enough time and how much time did they have. Everybody on the reservation had the same notice three days to get the money from the government move out. But they weren't satisfied. They came back afterwards and tried to buy back some of the stuff they'd sold with their property. Like the bathtubs of those that had it there saying some corn cribs and sheds. They claim the new places they bought didn't have them and they couldn't buy any new plumbing or lumber on account of priorities and the government didn't need their own bathtubs and creeps. No they they had to burn up the old lumber and throw the sinks and bathtubs and stuff in the junk pile. The Colonel said it would cost 25 to

50 dollars and red tape to get every sink and bath up through Washington. Take weeks besides the Colonel told to forget it. They were just casualties of the war too. For a five year neighbors with tough babies they stuck on their places and wouldn't get off. The last one to give up was was an old woman. She stopped by the gate with their house kids and told the guard on her troubles. Our father and grandfather farmed a far before and their folks before that way back to the revolution. The guard listened till he was tired. Then he said well you know how the Indians felt when your random I'm afraid that only they didn't run off and maybe not but the contractors had to come in. We had to start getting out things for the men at the front to fight with. They made plenty of stuff for it right here. I guess you know that this and that. I guess that was the greatest thing ever invented. Just think. Something that wiped out a

whole city and hundreds of thousands of those rats at one crack and here that's nothing to what you can do now. I felt like feeling coming over me without answering him I slowly. I told myself they hadn't destroyed the van down by BB anyway. This must be it I'm passing. Looking strangely narrow and shorter than it used to. How many times did I walk that road with the girls after choir practice. That was stone church community with half the houses gone. Reduced to a windowless box. Store as a blacksmith shop a vendor stable. And

windows and blinded with. Beyond that I reminded myself. Beyond that is my father's house. I got out of the car slowly and walked over the side of the place shocked me a little picture I had carried in my mind. The pain was gone. The picket fence the great Sugar Maple Story stripped of every vestige of come out of splendor it was less stable or from where I used to pick up apples I could see the raw industrial buildings of the X-Y explosive line and

beyond the reach of Tang's against the sunset sky. I couldn't stand looking at it but retreated to the cemetery. Only here here as it had always been. I had heard reports how well the army had taken care of the dead left on its reservation. I read again the line. Faith position carved on my father's stone and in fine a telex at the bottom. He went about doing good as a young scientist I dislike to see it. But today the simple words fill me with emotion and curious envy. I had once thought that I had far outdistanced my father. But now I knew it was my father's life. That had outdistanced

mine. Presently I halted my wondering. And a little hollow high up on the slope of Penny hill I had come on a vestige of the road. Here for a short distance and lay untouched and utterly unchanged and curious now and. The saying weathered and dried grasses. It even smelled as it used to Valley. The longer I stood there in the growing dusk the less that I had ever been away. Believe that I was still a boy and that the valley behind me and often had passed this but

I thought then must remain in the road some press of my foot. Just at this season with darkness coming on. I used to tramp along from my school standing here and. Peering through the growing dusk. I could almost feel myself as a boy swinging along the road bound for the lamp lit window at home. Yes it is moving down the road rounding the banks actually. There is no role for the boy to have come from. Boys don't. Course we speak to him speak to him before he's gone.

Hey. Yes sir. Are you are you acquainted around here boy. Yes sir. Is there a doctor there still in town and one of the stone church. Do you know the doctor's name at the stone church. Dr. John Henry and Peter Henry. Good night sir. Wait I want to go with you. Can I walk along with you. Yes if you want to. This road did it peters out around the No. Don't we come to the building block. I see we don't. I don't know what you mean. Bomb boys read bodies what we come to. And there's a faint glow of lantern and it always is milking time and light already in the patient. Jared

looks dark ahead doesn't it. Mysterious. It always looks that way this time of day. Smell the woods and the fried potatoes and you can smell supper all through St. George this time of day. Now look see that the watts are the hosts the doctor's house the white paling fence still there and see the window. Nothing's on our Wender sir except lamplight. Mama this man was up on Penny Hill. He wants to see papa. Will you come in. Thank you. Yes the water bucket the woodstove the table all set the dishes were the same. What's that you're saying. I was commenting on the flowers on the dishes. We got the dishes and cereal packages I know.

I mean I mean I've seen dishes like them before beans baking with bacon and molasses. Yes. How did you know. Do you want to come into the office or you can wait in the hall or if you'd rather the doctor's not here. You'll be back in a minute. Peter will light the parlor lamp for you. All right come with me sir. Let me get the lamp. What's that. Nothing. The telephone exchange at Maple hill called on the Jarrett. Oh yes. Of course. There you are. I'll turn the lamp up good for you. Thank you. That's Father now. I'll go to one hit you know don't go but I have to unhitch you don't have to you know not the moment here right. Yes your father was out all last night. He was tending to some shiftless mountain patient talk you know

successful enough for you. Not like city doctors. You mean you see them as men of science. They're both humidity and religion. But do they stay out all night to attend poor folk. I never thought of it like that. Haven't you. I never thought of it like that at all. Your father still goes to church too much to me still prays a long prayers for everybody. If you could pray for me. No those footsteps anywhere. What did you say you'd better own hitch. Yes or no. I feel I should know you. I know your face but I can't call you a name. You live around here too. How has it been a long time. A very long time. You have come far perhaps farther than I can tell you.

I have been here before but I was over at Barry's on the Ridge Road if you remember them. Mr. Barry is pretty feeble. There is little a doctor can do for him any more except that's quite a good deal I should think. Tell me your troubles. I've come to see you about your boy about Peter. About him and his future I understand he's only fourteen he's already well along in high school. He's thinking of taking up physics and chemistry in college and years he's drawn to science. I've come to you to beg him to change his mind. What he must do is prepare for a life like yours. I don't know how you know this. Who told you. Never mind. I can talk to him again but I'm afraid there isn't much use. I don't think I've been much of an example to when you have but he says he's seen too much doctoring from the inside. He doesn't want to starve and he doesn't want to have anything to do with death and but.

Peter is more interested in science so he talks about as a great opportunity for public service and being a scientist. He says that he wants to do only good in the world. And you must make him see the great opportunities in medicine and the salvation of going around doing good like you like me yesterday. So it was ready John. You'd better eat before more patients. All right. In a moment. I don't have very much. But if the gentleman would care to sit down with us he'll be welcome. You will stay for supper of course. If I may that's taken care of like having someone of the family with us. Did you notice John he looks like somebody we know. I told him the very same. Are you by any chance related to the sleaze but please don't ask me how I knew it. You remind me of Uncle Harry. Well come to supper as soon as you're able.

What were you saying about the boy. Yes. What we were saying about the boy. Yes. If you would talk to him yourself where just his parents but perhaps he would listen to you. I would I would be surprise if he were to listen to me. The summer is over. The harvest is ended and we are not saved. Bless this food to our bodies and us to their service in Christ's name. It's a nice supper my dear. You haven't tasted it yet Miles ago if it wasn't God what a surprise that would be at this table. My wife sir is an excellent cook. I know her home baked beans are like nobody else. I remember here help yourself. Yes make yourself at home. Thank you Peter. We have been talking about you. So are you my boy. We were saying that if you want to do good in the world being a doctor is a better

way. Like father. If you're strong enough I have my mind made up. Science is what I love. I know but I fear the coming age of the change scientists there will be worry quite beyond them. Do you understand science where as a noble face has done noble work and has still more noble possibilities. But you work for a master you can control. And who then you can see the true and conscientious work you do may be used for and you abhor. But science is what I love signs of a better life. Yes such is medicine to be a doctor and he body. I don't like the idea of pain. Then believe me look at me Peter. Follow your father. Father you tell him. You know I can yes but you know I know you can't too but you have to. There are difficulties ahead for you. Only when you're older and after having seen after having been a scientist where you were Understand that your father is the

good way. But you must make peace now with those who later on may not be there to hear you. Believe me I know. How could you know that. Father it does no good. But some good might come of it you know or I wouldn't be surprised but the scientists would do much for the coming generation. Yes but not for PETA. Why not. He is smart enough his mind is sharp. Not for PETA. All through the meal I talked argued and begged until I felt there was something about me that boy did not. This was the must make peace. There was no mistaking that the boy existed as hard as ever until I knew I was defeated. Never could I dissuade the boy from his dream.

And we heard a scratching sound at the door. Listen your dog scratches at the door theater. Yes sir. Your doctor guesses Peter Shepherd following me. That's singular. Doc she's going to you sir. Hello doxy. He doesn't go to many people but he acts as though he knows you like it is funny that he goes to you. Is it Peter. And he likes you too as you do not. I haven't up until now so I saw for the first time that the boy was regarding me and the kind of respect as if his hostility was good and he saw in me something he hadn't. I said I had received from the president of the United States but never had I felt quite the gratitude as inexplicable thing inside of me was like

that time long ago. I had been lost at the force found myself back in the peace. So now who is that at the door. Never mind. It's the God I thing what God. You wouldn't understand. I I must go. But first consider what I've said. I've made up my mind and won't change it. Dr. Henry forgive me forgive you but if there's anything to forgive I forgive you. Dr. Henry I will surely prefer motherhood and.

The picket fence is gone. Yes Dr. Henry sugar maple is gone. The dog looks as if it has been boarded up a long time. It has. Pop open the door open the door. But I see the buildings of the explosive line are lighted. Very impressive innit. At least the cemetery is well kept closed. But going back even for a time I feel better that I can face things better now. My father and mother pray for me and the boy inside me has made his first sign of peace to the man and

come along. It's cold up here. Yes sir. This way Dr. Henry. You must get back to work. We will not win through by falling off. Come along Doctor Henry. What do you mean when through. I'm not sure. But I'm a little clearer than I was. For the past half hour you've been listening to a program written by Conrad Richter. Here to comment on his play is Mr. Richter when asked to comment on this story I read it again and thought about it for good wow of course I thought about it before not once but many times while I was writing it. Now I discovered that because I had my own purpose that word work ideas and forces of which I was

less aware or I knew in effect that they were there. Granted I was introducing them but now could be seeing that they had taken hold and managed matters much on their own in manhood we sometimes think that our youth in this has been our grown somewhere along the way in the door and we find we may be covered up and become more or less invisible but it's still very much alive and influential in the song. Perhaps you know in this Daria that we can play with them. Thank you God for our own end and none whatever part of our national or individual soul we go to the devil. We may be sure he'll appear in due time to demand a portion.

Fortunately the Neckar record you were going to DAB will. Remain even. Finally you're paying for your good record. This story might be said to be concerned with one of the way you have been listening to Conrad Richter The series is listen America directed by John Clayton and produced by Johnny Lee for the University of North Carolina communication center. Erwin directed this series is produced on a grant in aid from the National Association of educational broadcasters made possible by the Educational Television and Radio Center in Mr. Richter's program the part of Dr. Henry it was played by Philip Johnston. Original music by John Parker Jr.. Listen America is recorded in the studios of the department of radio television and motion pictures. On the campus at Chapel Hill. This is B end E.B. Radio Network.