BONUS AUDIO: "The Beast of Boredom" by Richard R Smith #WeirdDarkness
Weird Darkness: Stories of the Paranormal, Supernatural, Legends, Lore, Mysterious, Macabre, Unsolved
Deep Dive
What is the central theme of 'The Beast of Boredom'?
The story revolves around a man who unknowingly brings a Martian time trap to Earth, which traps him in a repeating ten-minute cycle, leading him to face the psychological torment of boredom.
Why does the protagonist initially believe the Martian artifact is a weapon?
He assumes it is a weapon when the Martian uses it in a threatening manner, causing a burning sensation in his brain, leading him to shoot the Martian.
What does the protagonist discover about the Martian artifact after removing a ruby?
He realizes the artifact is a time trap, designed to repeat a ten-minute cycle endlessly, trapping him in the same interval of time.
How does the protagonist attempt to escape the time trap initially?
He tries to destroy the artifact by using a knife, hammer, and even throwing it out of the window, but each attempt fails as he is reset to the beginning of the cycle.
What psychological challenge does the protagonist face within the time trap?
He battles intense boredom, which he perceives as a dangerous enemy that could drive him to insanity if he cannot find ways to occupy his mind.
How does the protagonist eventually interact with another person within the time trap?
He learns about a neighbor, Mary Jeffers, and uses repeated phone calls to gather information about her, eventually convincing her he is an old friend. He then physically enters her apartment by climbing through the window.
What does the protagonist conclude about the longevity of the time trap?
He believes the Martian device will continue to operate indefinitely, potentially for centuries, as it draws energy from the space-time continuum and has no moving parts to wear out.
What is the ultimate fate of the protagonist in the story?
The protagonist succumbs to the psychological torture of the time trap, overwhelmed by the weight of endless memories and the inability to rest or escape, leading to a mental breakdown.
- A soldier kills a Martian and takes a metal globe studded with jewels.
- The globe is revealed to be a time-trap, causing a ten-minute time loop.
- The soldier is trapped in the loop, experiencing the same ten minutes repeatedly.
Shownotes Transcript