Mitchell Leisen

Astronaut Warren Marcusson and scientist Sam Conrad are watching as their two-man spaceship is prepared for the flight to Mars in three hours. Marcusson wonders why they are there rather than out seeing on Earth on what may be their last night there. Sam wonders if Marcusson is afraid, and admits that he's afraid of the unknown. Marcusson shares his personal philosophy: people are alike all over. Whoever they meet on Mars, they will be just like them.The expedition proceeds but the spaceship crashes on Mars. Marcusson is badly injured in the crash and Sam does what he can for him. They hear a knocking noise on the hull but Sam refuses to open the door. When Marcusson wakes up, he discovers that Sam has yet to open the door. The scientist claims the door is jammed, but finally admits that he's afraid. Marcusson insists that the people outside are just like them, and he doesn't want to die within the ruined spaceship. Before he can get the door open, he dies of his wounds. Sam finally opens the door and finds a group of human-like Martians outside, quietly waiting for him.Two males and a female step forward and gently relieve him of his gun, then speak to him in English. When Sam admits he's surprised to hear them speak English, one of the males explains that they've telepathically taught him their language. They confirm that Marcusson is dead and offer to let Sam get some rest. Sam is surprised to see that they are indeed just like humans. As they take out Marcusson's body and assure Sam they will bury it appropriately, the scientist admits to his dead friend that he was right and people are alike all over.As the Martians take Sam back to his ship, he asks them questions about their civilization. They tell him that they'll answer his question in the morning when he's had some rest, and they'll prepare a place for him. As they go, Sam asks the female Martian what her name is. She introduces herself as Teenya and he t

During a house call, Bedeker's doctor explains that he is in perfect health and tries to tell him that the aches and pains he's experiencing are all in his mind. Bedeker accuses the doctor of being a quack and complains about his wife's attempts to assist him. The doctor privately assures Ethel Bedeker that her husband is fine, but does prescribe some vitamins for her to deal with the stress her husband causes.Bedeker is miffed when Ethel is given a prescription and shoos her out of the room, all the while complaining about how short a lifetime is. He wonders aloud why people have to die. A voice agrees with him and he is quickly confronted by a portly man with a jovial face who introduces himself as Mr. Cadwallader. He freely admits to having many names, but points out that words are just words. Engaging in a conversation regarding semantics, Cadwallader offers Bedeker immortality or, as he calls it, extra free time. In return, Bedeker will give him a small piece of his make-up - his soul. Bedeker astutely recognizes that this is the devil.He drives a hard bargain with him anyway. He wants indestructibility along with no changes in his appearance. Cadwallader also offers an escape clause in the contract. If Bedeker should ever grow tired of living, he may request that his life end at that time and his demise will be provided quickly and with not a lot of suffering. Bedeker agrees.After Cadwallader leaves, he tests his new-found indestructibility by putting his hands on a steaming-hot radiator. Noting that his hands aren't burned at all, he tosses out his pills and pronounces himself the New Walter Bedeker.He handles his new lease on life unusually. On a subway platform, he waits until the train is nearing, then jumps onto the tracks. The train runs over him with many witnesses watching in horror, but they are shocked to find the man himself perfectly fine.Bedeker quickly makes a good living purposely jumping into danger and receiving