One More Pallbearer - Recap

At the Radin Building, owner and multi-millionnaire Paul Radin descends an elevator into an underground shelter where two workmen are completing installation of a sound and projection system. Radin brings up an image of the city and then a nuclear bomb exploding. Radin notes to the worker that the shelter is authentic but he plans to use it for a practical joke of sorts on three friends that are coming to visit. The workman is astonished that Radin would pull such an expensive prank on his friends, and Radin notes that they are very special friends indeed.



Later, three people come down on the elevator: Reverend Hughes, Colonel Hawthorne, and schoolteacher Mrs. Langsford. Radin invites them into the shelter and seals the door behind them, then invites them to sit down. He thanks them for coming and they eventually recognize him. Radin served under Hawthorne, studied under Langsford in high school, and Hughes derided him after driving a girl to suicide. Radin notes that Hawthorne had him court martialed after he refused a direct order. Langsford remembers him as well and notes that she flunked him and humiliated him in front of the class. Radin got them each there by saying it was a matter of life or death, and they demand to know why they're there. He finally explains that he has summoned them there to settle old scores. Langsford dismisses him as petty and small for still remembering his humiliation. She informs the others that Radin was caught cheating and tried to frame another student. She's proud of having "humiliated" Radin and notes he wasn't worthy of any compassion or sympathy, and figures he's still dishonest and devious.



Hughes wonders what is to be gained by the current situation and describes how Radin humiliated a girl and drove her to suicide. He then condemned Radin publicly for his actions. Radin snaps and tells them to go all to the Devil, then notes it's not a figure of speech. The Colonel tries to leave and finds the door sealed, and Radin explains how impenetrable the shelter is. He then describes how he has obtained information of an upcoming nuclear attack at thirty minutes at midnight. By dawn, mutual destruction is assured and no one will be left. Radin admits he plans to survive in the shelter, and asks if they plan to survive as well. He triggers the special effects and a fake air defense warning begins.

Radin wonders what they have to say but they prepare to leave and be with their family. The tycoon notes that they're all really concerned about surviving and dismisses their expressions of concern. Hughes denies any such thoughts and insists Radin release them. The (fake) sirens go off and Radin suggests they drop the pretense and admit they would rather than die then stay with Radin. The Colonel asks if Radin will let them stay and the tycoon admits he will as long as they apologize to him, begging on their hands and knees as necessary. Langford is unimpressed and refuses to take his "favor," wanting to spend her life with anyone rather than him. Hughes and the Colonel agree and Radin insists they're too blind or stupid to understand. They still refuse and he opens the door, saying they'll be back in five minutes once they realize their situation. They still leave while a desperate Radin warns it's their last chance. They prefer to die with honor rather than live with Radin or humiliate themselves before him.



The sirens continue and a deranged Radin smashes the speaker systems. He watches on the projection screen as the world is destroyed, then takes the elevator up and finds the entire city a devastated ruin. As he laughs hysterically, he's unaware that he is lying outside his building. Nothing is happened but he has been entirely consumed by his fantasy. A policeman tries to explain what happened but Radin is now deranged and trapped in his hallucination, believing he's the last man on Earth.



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