I. “SUPPOSE THEY COME AT NIGHT…?”

As night falls, John Castle approaches a farmhouse set behind a makeshift fortification.  Anna Trees and her brother, Japhet, greet John at the door and express concern at his arrival so close to curfew.

Stepping inside, John examines a photograph of an astronaut hung in the Trees’ parlor and reflects on Japhet’s deformities brought on by chronic wakefulness.  Anna and Japhet lead John to the kitchen, where he is welcomed warmly by a young boy named Nonny.

John cautions his hosts that an antenna atop their home can be seen from the road and might draw the attention of passing patrols.  Japhet dismisses the warning.  The howl of an animal outside rattles John and his companions.

Japhet, Anna, John, and Nonny ascend to the attic and receive a video transmission from Mars.  The broadcaster provides instructions for building a transmitter device and implores the people of Earth to signal the red planet.  After the recording ends, the foursome retires to bed.