THE HANGING STRANGER

Episode #1 · Written by Philip K. Dick · Narrated by Scott Miller

A man returning from an ordinary day’s work is horrified to find a corpse hanging in the town square — and even more disturbed that no one else seems to notice. When he discovers the truth behind the eerie calm, the nightmare has only just begun.

Ed Loyce is finishing an exhausting day when he notices a body hanging in the town square. The sight stops him cold. What disturbs him even more is that no one else seems to care. Pedestrians pass by without comment. Friends offer casual explanations. Even authority figures act as if nothing is wrong.

As Loyce presses for answers, his sense of isolation grows. The town feels familiar, yet subtly altered. Conversations end too quickly. Reassurance sounds rehearsed. The story tightens as Loyce begins to understand that reacting to the truth may be more dangerous than ignoring it. Philip K. Dick builds tension through unease, paranoia, and the terrifying cost of awareness.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Philip K. Dick was a master of psychological science fiction. Rather than focusing on distant futures or advanced technology, he explored control, identity, and perception. His protagonists were often ordinary people confronting systems far larger than themselves.

Throughout his career, Dick questioned authority, conformity, and the reliability of reality itself. His work influenced generations of writers and filmmakers, leaving a lasting mark on classic science fiction. Stories like this endure because they remain unsettling, relevant, and deeply human.

LISTEN TO THE STORY

Listen to The Hanging Stranger by Philip K. Dick — a terrifying tale of alien control and paranoia by Philip K. Dick. A must for fans of vintage science fiction and classic sci-fi terror.

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