Plan X

Originally Aired: February 2, 1953

In Suspense #498, "Plan X," Jack Benny stars as Zeno, an ordinary assembly line worker on Mars who is suddenly summoned by the Grand Council and given an extraordinary assignment. An armed rocket from Earth is approaching Mars, scheduled to land at precisely 10:14 the next morning, and Zeno has been selected to implement the mysterious Plan X. Despite being just a humble factory worker making stair treads, Zeno is chosen for his specific qualities: attention to detail, suppressed imagination, and no strong emotional drives. He accepts the responsibility with pride, convinced the Grand Council couldn't have picked a better Martian for the job.

When the Earth rocket lands, Commander and his crew, including Dr. Fielding and Miss Morrison, are surprised to find only one Martian waiting to greet them. Zeno welcomes the visitors in perfect Esperanto and explains that all other adult Martians are mysteriously unavailable. As he escorts the Earth expedition into the seemingly deserted Martian city, showing them various sites and walking alongside the charming Miss Morrison, the true nature of Plan X remains ominously unclear. What does this lone Martian have in store for the unsuspecting visitors from Earth?