The television is on, but only a hum comes from it, and the screen is a flickering gray.
The FATHER sits lumpily in a chair by the fireplace, still dressed but with his collar open.
The sound of JIM's step in the dining room makes him open his eyes. Fear of facing his son makes him shut them again. The boy comes in, a bottle of milk in his hand.
Seeing his FATHER there, he stops short--his impulse is to flee. Instead he comes in and looks down at the sleeping man whose eyelids, fluttering in the FATHER's masquerade of sleep, make him seem to be having a dream.
JIM is torn between his desire to leave and his need to speak. He turns off the television quietly, then lies down on the couch across the way.
He mumbles the things he would say to his FATHER
and the answers he feels he would get.
The old man opens his eyes once,
sees the boy there, head banging upside down from the couch.
Then he shuts them again.
Upside down long shot. Room (JIM's viewpoint).
Suddenly, inverted in his vision, the MOTHER appears at the head of the stairs, in bathrobe and nightgown. She pauses a moment, thenruns down crying:
MOTHER
He's home! You're home!
You're all right!
The camera rights itself suddenly.
JIM as he completes his turn, pulling his head up and sitting.
FATHER as he pretends to awaken with a start.
Full shot, room as the MOTHER hurries to JIM, holds him, inspects him, kisses him.
MOTHER
What happened, darling.
We were so worried.
I was going to take
a sleeping pill, but I wouldn't
till I knew you were home.
JIM
I have to talk to someone, Mom.
I have to talk to you both.
And Dad this time you got to
give me An Answer.
FATHER
Go ahead.
JIM
I'm in terrible trouble.--
You know that big high bluff
near Millertown Junction?
FATHER
Sure--there was a bad accident there.
They showed the pictures on T.V.
JIM
I was in it.
MOTHER
How!
JIM
It doesn't matter how.
I was driving a stolen car--
MOTHER
Do you enjoydoing this to me or what--
JIM
Mom--I'm not--
MOTHER
And you wanted him to make a [Christmas] list!
FATHER
Will you let him tell it!
JIM
She never wants to hear.
She doesn't care!
MOTHER
I guess when I nearly died giving birth to you--
that shows how much I don't care!
FATHER
Just relax, please relax!
JIM
I told you Dad,
it was a question of honor.
They called me chicken--
you know, chicken!
I had to go or I would
never have been able to face
any of those kids again.
So I got in one of these cars
and a boy called Buzz
got in the other.
We had to drive fast and jump
before the cars went over
the edge of the bluff.
I got out okay but
Buzz didn't.
He was killed.
MOTHER
Good Lord!
JIM
I can't keep it to myself anymore--
FATHER
Well, just get it off your chest, son.
JIM
That's not what I mean.
I've never done anything right.
I've been going around
with my head in a sling for years...
I don't want to drag you into this
but I can't help it.
I don't think I can prove anything
by going around pretending
I'm tough any more,
so maybe you look like one thing
but you still feel like another.
FATHER
You're absolutely right!
JIM
Are you listening to me?
You're involved in this!
I want to go to The Police
and tell themI was mixed up
in this thing tonight?
FATHER
You what?
MOTHER
No!
FATHER
Did anyone see you there?
I mean did they get
your license number
or anything?
JIM
I don't think so--
FATHER
Well--
MOTHER
What about the other boys--
Do you think they'll
go to The Police?
JIM
What's that got to do with it?
MOTHER
Why should you be
the only one.
FATHER
Look Jim. Far be it from me
to tell you what to do,
but there's--
MOTHER
Are you going to preach now?
Are we going to have a sermon?
FATHER
I'm just explaining what you mean!
You can't be An Idealist all your life!
Nobody thanks you
for sticking your neck out!
MOTHER
That's right!
JIM
Except yourself!
FATHER
Will you wait a minute?
JIM
You don't want me to go.
MOTHER
No! I don't want you
to go to The Police!
There were other people and why should you be the only one involved!
JIM
But I am involved!
We're all involved, Mom!
A boy was killed!
I don't see how
we can get out of that
by pretending it
didn't happen!
FATHER
Youknow you did Wrong.
That's The Main Thing, isn't it?
JIM
No! It's nothing! Just nothing!
You always told me to
Tell The Truth.
You think you can
just turn that off?
MOTHER
He's not sayingthat!
He's saying 'Don't Volunteer!'
JIM
Just tell a little white lie?
FATHER
You'll learn as you get a little older, Jim.
JIM
I don't want to learn that!
MOTHER
Well, it doesn't matter anyhow--
because we're moving.
JIM
No! You're not tearing me
loose any more.
MOTHER
Do I have to spell it out?
JIM
You're not going to use me
as An Excuse again, Mom.
Every time you can't face yourself
you want to move and you say
it's because of me or the neighborhood
or some other phony excuse.
Now I want to do
one thing right
and I'm not letting
yourun away.
(silence)
Dad?
FATHER
Son--this is all happening so fast--
JIM
You better give me
something, Dad.
You better give me something —
(stops as he sees the emptiness in them)
Mom?
MOTHER
Jimmy, you're very young--
and a foolish decision now
could wreckyour whole life.
JIM
Dad --Answer Her--
aren't you going to
stand up for me?
The FATHER is mute, helpless...
Suddenly JIM screams.
JIM
Dad?
He leaps at his FATHER, dragging him to his feet, hands at the man's throat.
MOTHER
Stop it! You'll kill him!
Jim! Do you want to
Kill Your Father?
Suddenly JIM loosens his hands and rises. He looks swiftly at each of them--moves a few steps toward the door, looks back at them again--then rushes out of the house.
The parents stand frozen.
DISSOLVE TO:
Outside Precinct Station.
JIM's car comes to a stop at the curb. JIM gets out and approaches the flight of steps leading up the entrance. A bare bulb on either side is the only illumination. As he mounts the first step, the double doors above him swing open revealing several people. JIM stops short. So do they.
Low angle. CRUNCH, MOOSE and their parents. JIM's back in f.g. The boys stare down at him.
High angle. JIM (from the boys' point of view) as he stares up at them. MOOSE's father takes his arm and starts him down the stairs, the others moving too.
MOOSE
Let go of me--
MOOSE'S FATHER
You want a good crack in the mouth?
JIM starts forward up the steps. CRUNCH grabs him.
CRUNCH This place appeal to you or something?
They move down the steps as JIM breaks away and continues up. He goes through the doors.
Inside doors as JIM comes through and stops. He looks back through the glass. We see the group reach the curb where their cars are parked. There is a brief discussion which we cannot hear, then CRUNCH and MOOSE move off to MOOSE's car. JIM turns back. He looks worried as he passes camera.
Med. shot. CRUNCH and MOOSE. They stop at MOOSE's car and look back at the entrance. The parents are seen beyond them, getting into their cars. CRUNCH is near tears with anger.
CRUNCH What's he going to pull--
MOOSE Nothing, Crunch. They picked him up like the rest of--
CRUNCH You see any cops?
MOOSE'S FATHER (yelling) You monsters start home. We're going to--
MOOSE Yeah. Yeah.
MOOSE'S FATHER We're following you so better get there.
CRUNCH You see any cops?
MOOSE No--
CRUNCH He's going to cheese, I tell you. Nobody arrested him!
MOOSE I think I should go home.
CRUNCH No. We're going to bring him down.
MOOSE Crunch--my father's--You going to kill him?
CRUNCH (crying) You clean out of your head? Come on!
CRUNCH gets into the car. MOOSE follows. They gun the motor and throw the car into a sharp U-turn. MOOSE'S FATHER jumps into his car. He steps on the starter but nothing happens--just the empty whirring, over and over. Finally it starts, but the boys have gone.
Inside Precinct Station. Juvenile division. A desk sergeant is writing in the record book. Facing him across the desk and handcuffed to an officer is a young hoodlum, very different in appearance from the kids we have met--a typical duck-tail 'cat'.
SERGEANT (spelling) W-O-J-T-what?
HOODLUM O-W-I-C-Z. Wojtowicz. What's the matter, man? That's the craziest name in town! It swings!
JIM Excuse me--but--You know where I can find--I mean I don't remember his last name--
SERGEANT Look--can't you see I'm writing?
HOODLUM (combing his duck-tail) Man, this cat never stops. He just keeps going like Big Jay at a session! OFFICER Shut up.
HOODLUM He's writing a book about me--
SERGEANT What I could write about you they wouldn't print.
JIM I think his first name's Ray--I have to see him. It's very important.
SERGEANT What's the charge?
OFFICER Assault with a deadly weapon.
JIM Listen--
SERGEANT (annoyed)
He's not here. He's not at Juvenile Hall. I don't know where he is. He's out on a call and he'll be out all night. How old are you?
JIM My parents know I'm out. They know I'm here.
SERGEANT Come back tomorrow.
JIM I'll wait for him.
SERGEANT Why don't you come back tomorrow, son? (to hoodlum) Ever been booked before?
JIM turns away, notices a phone on the wall--puts in a coin, asks for a number.
“Again, you don't need to know anything about them. Because the more you know about these guys, the lamer they become," laughed Morrison. "I'd rather have people pick up the book and see Libra for the first time done the way I want to see him done and the same goes for The Human Flame character.
"The reason I chose them was because Libra came from my favorite ever run of 'Justice League of America' and he's never been used again. He was a character who had stolen all the powers of the Justice League, but then couldn't handle it and ascended to some kind of screaming godhood where he became a million transparent body parts spread across the sky. So I thought if I was doing a thing about the New Gods, he'd be an interesting guy to bring back because I needed a masked mystery man to start a new recruitment drive for the Secret Society of Supervillains, because they become almost a terrorist sect. Under Libra's guidance, they start doing quite bad things, even to superheroes' wives and families, crossing the line. So there's that element to the story and I needed a masked guy, who people didn't really know that well. And I remembered Libra and the fact that he is connected to this ascending to godhood thing tied him in really quite nicely. What's really going on under the hood will be revealed later in the series.
"With The Human Flame, I wanted a Martian Manhunter villain, and I couldn't find a really good one. Then, looking through the old 'Showcase Presents' books, I discovered this stupid guy called Mike, who declared himself to be the Human Flame. And he wore a homemade costume with six nipples that shot flames. So I just thought this is a great way to start this book because the idea is that Libra gives all the villains a very simple choice, he says, 'Follow me and I'll give you your heart's desire.' And that's it.
And some of the villains naturally say, 'Prove it.' So The Human Flame is one of the first to fall in with Libra and he says, 'If you can get revenge on my old enemy, who has had me stuck in jail for the last five years, I'll follow you anywhere.'
"I needed a small-scale dumb guy, who could make very big waves and open the book with a shock moment and the Human Flame fit the bill. Also the name is great, because he's the first of the villains to succumb to the Anti-Life Equation. And the idea of the Human Flame being 'extinguished' in this way was just too cool for me to let go of it.
"All of these guys were chosen for roles in the story, not because they are fan favorites. I just don't play that game. I wish I could. So I don't want readers to run back to their 'Who's Who' thinking that there will be some big revelation about these characters in there. All the stuff you need is in the book. And these two are just the tip of the iceberg, every DC villain appears in this book. There's a cosmic murder mystery running through the book and the really big bad doesn't turn up until the very last issue. There's a lot going on but I've noticed that no matter what I say about the content of 'Final Crisis,' there will still be online fans who'll swear blind they have no idea what the book is about so I'll leave it at that."
And while "Final Crisis" features two relatively obscure villains, Libra and Human Flame, Morrison is certainly no stranger to DCU's larger threats. In "All Star Superman," Morrison has Lex Luthor, in "Batman" he plays with Joker and in "Final Crisis," Darkseid is front center.
The three could be considered the Anti-Trinity for lack of a better term. "Yeah, pretty much. Now that you mention it, I've never actually thought about it that way," said Morrison. "Luthor is the meanest because he is the most fucked up with bitternesswhich at least is a recognizable human emotion. The Joker would do worsethings to you, but you might just get away with it depending on how he felt that day. Actually, you probably wouldn't. He would do mucky, seedy things to you more than likely. And Darkseid, would just annihilate you and your family's free will and have you all slaving in the fire pits with no memory and no hope AND your entire environment ruined forever.
When asked to pick the biggest DCU baddie, Morrison said it depends what your fears are. "Luthor is intellectual evil and the Joker is perverse evil and Darkseid, he is just cosmic evil - evil as an unstoppable idea."
Going the other way, Morrison said only one supervillain would ever consider fighting the good fight. "Luthor, definitely Luthor. The Joker has no meaningful potential for good but Luthor actually has the potential. If he gets rid of Superman, he might be a better person," explained Morrison. "In 'All Star Superman,' though, I am basically saying that he wouldn't be a better person. That he just uses Superman as an excuse and a scapegoat for doing nothing. And I kind of like to use him that way. He talks a big game but if you actually give him a challenge, he's not up to it. Luthor needs validation and to be acknowledged as special, so I think there is the possibility of him helping his fellow men, as long as they put up a statue afterwards and rename the planet Lexor.
Morrison confirms "little clues" to "Final Crisis" are to be found in his megaseries "Seven Soldiers of Victory," but that they are not required reading to follow the 2008 event
"Luthor actually gets his big choice in 'Final Crisis' #3. Everybody gets a big choice in that issue. And after that, choice itself is eradicated by the Anti-Life Equation."
In August, "Final Crisis" will take a one-month break before returning in September with #4. There are a number of reasons for the pause both within the series and in terms of pacing, but the main motivating factor is the Fastest Man Alive. "The main reason for the break after #3 is, for reasons I won't go into here, The Flash winds up running a month into the future. He runs right into #4 at the end of #3. So you kind of get a snapshot of what has happened to the world in that month before finding out all the details in #4. The first three issues show things slowly going wrong, as the steady creep of evil advances so by the end of #3, the Evil Gods are actually manifesting in their full power to possess the planet Earth. And when #4 begins, a month has elapsed and suddenly we're in a whole new world, with very different rules. So that's why we made that break," said Morrison. "The series ramps up into new territory and transforms with #4 and what happens in #4 through #7 is going to have huge ramifications for the DCU in the aftermath."
The Flash, historically, has proved to be a vital cog in all the 'Crisis' events. In "Crisis on Infinite Earths," Barry Allen, the second Flash, died while stopping the plot of the Anti-Monitor to destroy the world. He returns, briefly, in "Infinite Crisis" to team up with the other Flashes - including Wally West, Bart Allen and Jay Garrick - to push Superboy-Prime into the Speedforce, eliminating that threat. Wally and Jay are active and Barry and Bart are dead, but both are rumored to make a return in "Final Crisis."
CBR News asked Morrison point blank, which Flash runs a month ahead into "Final Crisis" #4. He replied with a laugh, "It's not Jay Garrick! In #3 we have a race between the Flash and the Black Racer, who is, as you know, the New Gods' version of Death. So you go and figure it out."
** It should be noted that it was announced in the DC solicitations for July that Geoff Johns' "Rogues' Revenge" Flash miniseries will be tied directly to "Final Crisis. **
Morrison drew huge inspiration from Jack Kirby's New Gods stories, all of which are reprinted in the "Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus" collections
Morrison continued, "The break also allows us to do a few specials that fit neatly into the gap. I'm working on a Superman book called 'Superman Beyond,' which I'm hoping will have a 3D section. It's going to be the Superman strand of 'Final Crisis' because he's taken out of the picture in #3. And this is about where he goes and what he does and it has a team of alternate Earth Supermen: Captain Marvel from Earth 5, Ultraman, the evil Superman from the Anti-Matter Earth, Captain Atom from Earth 4 and the 'Nazi Superman', Overman, from Earth 10 in a kind of 'Jason and the Argonauts' voyage beyond the Multiverse.
Again, it's very tied-in to the main story in 'Final Crisis' and the secret origin of the Multiversal Monitors which plays into the whole thing in a big way. Partly it's to get some suspense and anticipation built up, get readers thinking, 'Christ, what's HAPPENED to the world between #3 and #4.' We're setting up the new look of the DCU for the next decade and the specials help to broaden the scope of the whole event.
"Geoff [Johns] and I are doing one of the specials together. You are going to see one particular character on the streets, on the ground during the occupation. Just to see what it's like for ordinary people during the evil gods takeover. So that's the one Geoff and I am going to be doing. But I can't tell you the character yet, although he is a current member of the Justice League."
And while he wouldn't give up THAT character's identity, Morrison did tease a few more of the book's usual suspects. "Everybody is in it. In addition to the big guys, the third issue has Captain Marvel Jr., Supergirl, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Green Arrow and Black Canary. It's got everyone. Pretty well from #4 to #7 is one big battle royale. I want to leave lots of room for the fight. There's about ten issues worth of fighting," said Morrison. "If you've got a favorite character, I am sure he's in it. Supergirl and Mary Marvel are in it. They have a big climatic battle to decide how femininity should be portrayed in superhero comics!
Which begged the question, isn't Wonder Woman in that fight? "Wonder Woman already has problems of her own by that point," laughed Morrison. "Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman get targeted by the New Gods pretty quickly. Those are the first big targets that the Gods have to bring down but you'll see Wonder Woman's confrontation with Mary in #3."
“….Meanwhile, I prepared myself for the oncoming zeitgeist by listening to Chris Morris’s bleak, brilliant, bad-trippy Blue Jam on Radio 1 every Thursday after John Peel. Oddly enough, I was beginning to find humor in all the things that had once frightened me. The prying eye of Big Brother, the aging process, loneliness, failure, and death were all just punch lines to the joke. I loved to listen over and over again to HAL-9000’s death scene from the soundtrack of 2001: A Space Odyssey, and when Jarvis Cocker and Pulp released their masterpiece comedown album, This Is Hardcore, its unflinching evocation of middle age, stale waterbeds, and tinny bachelor pad music made me rethink my own lifestyle.
I was about as alien as I’d ever wanted to be, but I’d grown tired of one-night stands, drink, drugs, and the dating game.
It was time to get serious.”
Dr. Chandra :
Understand, Nobody can Talk. The accents will confuse him. He can understand me, so if you have any questions, please let me ask them.
Good morning, HAL.
HAL-9000 : Good morning, Dr. Chandra.
Dr. Chandra :
Do you feel capable of resuming all of your duties?
HAL-9000 :
Of course. I am completely operational and all my circuits are functioning perfectly.
Dr. Chandra :
That's good. Do you know what those duties are?
HAL-9000 :
Yes. I will operate
The Onboard Systems of Discovery.
There is a launch window in 31 days when Earth is in the proper position.
There is enough fuel on board for a low-consumption route that will enable Discovery to return in 28 months.
This will not present a problem.
Dr. Chandra :
That's very good. Now, HAL, do you mind if I ask you a question?
HAL-9000 :
Not at all.
Dr. Chandra :
Do you recall Dave Bowman and Frank PooleleavingThe Discovery?
HAL-9000 :
Certainly not. That could never have happened or I would remember it. Where are Frank and Dave?
Dr. Chandra : They're fine.They're not here right now.
HAL-9000 :
Who are these people? I can only identify you -- although I compute a 65% probability that the man behind you is Dr. Floyd.
Dr. Chandra :
Don't worry, HAL. I'll explain everything later.
HAL-9000 :
Has The Mission been completed? You know that I have the greatest enthusiasm for it.
Dr. Chandra :
The Mission has been completed and you've carried out your program very well.
And now, HAL, if you will
excuse us for a moment, we wish to have a
private conversation.
HAL-9000 :
Certainly.
Dr. Haywood Floydd : What was that all about?
Dr. Chandra : I've erased all of HAL's Memory from the moment The Trouble started.
The 9000-Series uses holographic memories, so chronological erasures
would not work. I made a tapeworm.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
You made a what?
Dr. Chandra :
It's A Program that's fed into A System, that will Hunt Down andDestroy
any desired memories.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Wait -- Do You Know Why
HAL Did What He Did?
Dr. Chandra :
Yes. It wasn't his fault.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Whose fault was it?
Dr. Chandra :
Yours.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Mine?
Dr. Chandra :
Yours. In going through HAL's Memory Banks, I discovered his original orders. You wrote those orders.
Discovery's Mission to Jupiter was in the advancedplanning stages when The First Monolith was found on The Moon and sent its signal to Jupiter. By directPresidential Order, The Existence of That Monolith was kept secret.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
So?
Dr. Chandra : So, asThe Function
of The Command Crew,
Bowman and Poole,
was to getDiscovery
to its destination,
it was decided that
they should not
be informed.
The Investigative Team was
trained and put in hibernation, before The Voyage began.
Since HAL was capable of operating Discoveryunassisted, it was decided
that he should be programmed to
complete The Mission autonomously
in case The [Human] Crew
was incapacitated or killed. [ Which, of course, they were -- ]
He was given full knowledge of The True Objective... ...and instructednot to reveal anything
to Bowman or Poole. He was instructed to Lie.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
What are you talking about? I didn't authorise anyone to tell HAL about The Monolith.
Dr. Chandra :
The Directiveis NSC 3-4-2/2-3, Top Secret, January 30, 2001. NSC, National Security Council, The White House.
I don't care who it is. The Situation is in conflict with The Basic Purpose of HAL's Design... The accurate processing of information withoutdistortion or concealment.
He became trapped. The technical term is an H. Mobius Loop,
which can happen in advanced computers with autonomous goal-seeking programs.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
The goddamn White House! I don't believe it.
Dr. Chandra :
HAL was Told to Lie, by people who find it easy to lie. HAL Doesn't Know How, so he couldn't function. He became paranoid.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Those sons of bitches! I didn't know. I didn't know!
We have here Mrs. Jessie Bowman, age 77. She's the mother of the astronaut who died. She's been in the nursing home for six months. Four weeks ago, she collapsed in her room. She was comatose when we got to her. She was worked up and found to have suffered a massive C.V.A... ...in the left parietal and frontal Iobes. The CAT scan showed a massive bleed. She has been comatose since her admission... ...and is unable to have spontaneous respiration. There is no response to stimuli. She has had two episodes of pneumonia and is febrile. We've been giving her intravenous antibiotics for ten days. Any change? Physical therapy? Range of motion four times a day, and she's turned every 30 minutes. Thank you. Dr. Detchum, Dr. Detchum, 35. Dr. Craig, Dr. Craig, 35. Dr. Craig, 35, please. Dr. Craig, 35, please. All hands to the Ward Room. All hands to the Ward Room, please. This is a most difficult announcement. As you know, things have not been going well back home. Well, it's gotten worse, a Iot worse. Yesterday a Soviet destroyer challenged the bIockade. Several warning shots were fired across her bow. She did not respond. A second volley was fired. There still was no response. None. The nuclear destroyer U.S.S. Cunningham launched two of her Falcon missiles. Both struck the Soviet vessel amidship. She broke in two and sunk. Eight hundred of her crew were Iost. This morning... ...an American surveillance satellite was struck by a Soviet laser... ...fired from the Sergei Kirov Space Station. The American satellite was destroyed. The United States has broken off diplomatic relations with Russia. All ambassadors have been recalled. The Soviet ambassador has been expelled along with the entire staff. All American air defense and satellite defense forces are on full alert. Premier Ulonova made a televised address and said that technically, A State of War exists between our two countries.
All American personnel are ordered to leave Soviet territory immediately or they will be placed under arrest.
All Russian personnel are similarly ordered to evacuate American territory.
As a result, by direct presidential order, the three of you must leave the Leonov.
No Russian citizen is allowed to remain on or allowed to enter the Discovery. This Order is effective immediately.
The launch window for re-entry is in 28 days. The Discovery has enough fuel for a Iow consumption trajectory.
HAL seems to be reactivated and is functioning well enough to operate the onboard systems.
The Leonov has enough fuel for a low consumption trajectory
that will arrive 12 months earlier.
The launch windows are critical for both spacecrafts.
Only communications of an emergency distress nature are allowed between the Leonov and Discovery.
I know you people are caught
in the middle of this.
In a sense, we all are. I wish there was something I could do.
The only thing left for us is to pray. Pray for the safety of our families,
for our countries, for our planet. May God Forgive us and Protect us.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
HAL, give me a System-Status report, please.
Just one moment, please. I'm sorry for the delay.
My voice recognition circuits are not completely restored, although, as you can see, they are improving.
All systems are functional. There is a small pressure leak
in the aft heating unit.
It is nothing serious. I can compensate for it by using the redundant units.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Thank you.
Dr. Floyd?
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Yes?
Would you like to play
a game of chess?
I play very well.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
I'm sure you do.
No, thank you.
Dr. Floyd?
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
What is it, HAL?
There is A Message for you.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Who's calling?
There is no identification.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
What's The Message?
The Message as follows: "It is dangerous to remain here. You must leave within two days."
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
What?
Do you want me to repeat The Message, Dr. Floyd?
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Who recorded it?
This is not a recording.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Who's sending it?
There is no identification.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
I don't understand.
Neither do I.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Is this message by
voice or keyboard?
I don't know.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
My Response is: "We don't have enough fuel for an early departure."
The Answer is: "I am aware of these facts. Nevertheless, you must leave within two days. "
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
HAL, who the hell is sending this?
I'm sorry, Dr. Floyd. I don't know.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Well, tell whoever it is that I can't take any of this seriously, unless I know who I'm talking to.
Dr. Floyd?
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Yes?
The Response is: "I was David Bowman." Do you want me to repeat the last response?
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
No, no. Tell Curnow that this is
no time for jokes.
Dr. Curnow is not sending The Message.
He is in Accessway 2.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Well, tell whoever it is that... ...I can't accept that identification without proof.
The Response is:
"I understand. It is important that you
believe me. Look behind you."
Hello, Dr. Floyd. Please... ...believe me.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
What are you?
This is very difficult for me. I don't have much time. I've been allowed to give you this warning. You must leave here in two days.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Allowed? By who?
I can't explain. You see, something's going to happen. You must leave.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
What? What's going to Happen?
Something Wonderful.
What?
I understand how you feel. You see, it's all very clear to me now. The whole thing. It's wonderful.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Please, if....
Good-bye, Dr. Floyd. We can have no further contact. Remember: You have two days.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
We can't leave in two days.
There may be another message after... …if all goes well.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
What's going to happen?
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Kirbuk. This is Floyd. I'm coming over.
If anyone's on The Bridge, tell them to get lost.
It's impossible. You heard the orders. You can't.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
You want to arrest me, go ahead, because I'm coming over and we're gonna talk. -You want to put the cuffs on? -Cuffs?
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
-Never mind. -What is so important that you do this?
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Now listen to me. Just listen to me! We've gotta get out of here. We have to leave in two days.
What are you talking about?
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Something.... Something extraordinary
is going to happen. I don't know what. But we have to initiate
an escape launch
in two days.
You have been drinking your whiskey from Kentucky.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
I wish I had. I can't tell you why I know what I know, because... ...if I told you you'd never believe me.
You simply have to trust me.
I know that trust doesn't come easy with what's going on.
I can't just order us to
leave here for no reason.
I am under orders and so are you.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
The hell with those orders! The people who gave those orders don't know what they're doing.
This is crazy.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
You bet it is!
Even if I should trust you, which I'm not sure that I do... ...or even if I should want to leave here for no reason, I can't, and neither can you. We don't have enough fuel until Earth
is in the correct position
which is three weeks away. So, it's impossible for both of us.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
You're wrong. We can't do it separately. We can do it together.
What are you talking about now?
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
We have enough fuel in Discovery for a launch. You have enough fuel in the Leonov for the trip home.
We use the docking ring in the Leonov to attach to the Discovery. Then we use the Discovery as a
booster rocket for the launch.
When we use up Discovery'sfuel, we detach.
She falls away and we use the Leonov for the trip home.
It'll work.
Perhaps.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
If we start now.
No, you, you ask too much of me. I can't do all of these things for no reason. I can't disobey my country for no reason.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Forget reason! No time to be reasonable. The politicians can screw themselves. We're not playing Games.
The War is over.
Good Christ! It's, it's gone!
Message from Milson to Floyd.
Top secret.
Switching to keys Alpha / Leader 7-2-7-4, on your mark. Mark.
Dr. Curnow asked ground to furnish him with data as to the stress points on Discovery. The answers are being transmitted
binary in 15 minutes.
As to how much torque
it was designed to take,
no one here is sure.
We'd like to know the reason for Curnow's request. Please send your reply as soon as possible. End transmission, Milson 2-7-7-9.
Message from Milson to Floyd. It's been 12 hours since my request for information. I need a reply.
All hell is breaking loose down here. I have enough problems without you pulling some kind of a stunt. I only hope there's a world left for you to return to.
Report to ground as to what is going on and make that report immediately! And while you're at it, could you please check out a black spot on Jupiter
that has been detected by satellite telescope. It is on the dark side and should be coming around your way in four hours. End transmission, Milson 2-7-8-0.
I have made the calculations. To get enough velocity for an escape launch with Earth that far out of position... ...we will need a full power burn from Discovery of over 120 seconds. If the engines shut down too early... ...we will not have enough velocity to get back home.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Discovery has enough on board. HAL should be able to
control the burn, right? How long will it take you to program HAL for the launch?
Dr. Chandra :
I don't know. It's not as simple as that. I have spent the last several weeks
programming HAL for a 1,000-day
orbit back to Earth and now
all those programs will
have to be dumped.
How long will it take?
Dr. Chandra :
We know how sensitive
he is to Mission Objectives
and now you're telling me
to program him
for the destruction
of the Discovery as well as
his own destruction.
Has anybody considered
his reaction?
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Are you saying that he might disobey orders as he did last time?
Dr. Chandra :
That didn'thappen last time. He was given conflicting orders and he did his best to interpret them.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Then what are you saying?
Dr. Chandra :
I am saying that I don't know
how he will react. I'm sorry, butI don't.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Have you discussed this with HAL?
Dr. Chandra :
No.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Load the new program. We don't have any choice.
Dr. Chandra :
Now remember, he was programmed for Curiosity. If The Crew was killed, he was capable of carrying out The Mission
on his own initiative. He will question me about
the change in plans. What do you want me to tell him?
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Tell him Discovery's in no danger.
Dr. Chandra :
But that's Not True.
Curnow :
We don't know that.
Dr. Chandra :
He will suspect it. Otherwise, why would we be leaving weeks ahead of our launch window?
Whether we are based on carbon orsilicon
makes no fundamental difference. We should each be treated with appropriate respect.
So Our Choice is Him or Us?
Well, I vote Us. All opposed?
(no-one) The ayes have it.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Will he believe you?
Dr. Chandra :
Yes.
Then let's get started. We haven't got much time. -Are you as scared as I am? -Are you kidding?
You think we should override HAL and fire the engines manually?
Too risky. We've got one chance to leave after tomorrow's orbit. We fire the engines at the wrong time,
we go off the wrong direction... and we don't have the fuel to make a correction. I don't think we can handle it manually.
What about HAL shutting them off before all the fuel is gone?
Curnow :
Once he fires the engine,
I can always disconnect him if I have to.
Just don't lose that calculator.
Shit! Please don't do that again.
This is what your people told you about. -What is it? -I don't know. -Could it be a shadow? -I don't know. We are too far to see any detail. When we come around the other side before the launch, we will be cIoser. Then we can see. Twenty-eight minutes. That's funny. I've been thinking. Do you know what I miss? I miss green. Trees and... ...and grass.... I Iove green. I'd Iove a hot dog. The Astrodome. Good hot dogs. Astrodome? You can't grow good hot dogs indoors. Yankee Stadium, September. Hot dogs have been boiling since the opening day in April. That's a hot dog. The yelIow mustard or the darker one? Darker. That's important. Darker. You think we're gonna get out of this alive? We have a chance. A man of few words. I like it.
HAL-9000 :
Fifteen minutes to ignition. All systems nominal.
Dr. Chandra :
Good. Thank you, HAL.
We read 15 minutes, Discovery.
HAL-9000 :
Dr. Chandra, I've checked my calculations again. By using all of Discovery's fuel now, Discovery will not be in proper position to rendezvous with Earth.
Dr. Chandra :
Yes, I know.
HAL-9000 :
Then why are we doing it?
Dr. Chandra :
You will rendezvous with the new space station. The Leonov has been ordered home immediately.
HAL-9000 :
I have no information regarding a new space station.
Dr. Chandra :
Yes, I....I know.
It was completed two years ago.
Oh, my God! Put the telescope on the monitor. Increase the magnification. Eleven minutes to ignition. I don't believe it!
HAL-9000 :
Dr. Chandra, I detect strong
vocal stress patterns.
Is there a problem?
Dr. Chandra :
No, Hal. The Mission is
proceeding normally. Can you analyze the image on monitor circuit two?
HAL-9000 :
Yes. There is a circular object near the equator. It is 22,000 kilometres in diameter. It is comprised of rectangular objects.
Dr. Chandra :
How many?
HAL-9000 :
1,355,000 plus or minus 1,000.
Dr. Chandra :
And what is the proportion of the objects in question?
HAL-9000 :
One by four by nine.
Dr. Chandra :
Do you recognise these objects?
HAL-9000 :
Yes. They are identical in size and shape to The Object you call The Monolith. Ten minutes to ignition. All systems nominal.
Dr. Chandra :
Is the number of monoliths constant?
HAL-9000 :
No. They are increasing.
Dr. Chandra :
At what rate?
HAL-9000 :
Once every two minutes.
Curnow : Look closely. Tell me I'm nuts —
Are the cloud formations going
towards The Spot?
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
You're not nuts.
Curnow :
Looks like The Thingis
eating The Planet.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
I think it is.
Curnow :
It's reproducingexactly
like A Virus.
HAL-9000 :
Eight minutes to ignition. Dr. Chandra, may I make a suggestion?
Dr. Chandra :
Of course. What is it, HAL?
HAL-9000 :
This is a very unusual phenomenon.
Don't you think I should abort the countdown
so that you can remain and study it?
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Chandra, get on the headset. Use the private channel.
Dr. Chandra :
Okay.
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Now you've got to talk quickly.
Persuade him to continue the countdown. I don't care what you say,
only don't let him stop.
HAL-9000 :
Five minutes to ignition. Dr. Chandra, I'm ready to
stop the countdown
if you want.
Dr. Chandra :
No, HAL, don't stop. I am fully confident in your ability to study the phenomenon by yourself. I have complete faith in you.
HAL-9000 :
Propellant tank pressurisation completed.
Voltage steady. Are you sure you are making the right decision? I think we should stop. Four minutes to ignition. I enjoy working with human beings
and have stimulating relationships with them.
Dr. Chandra :
We enjoy working with you, HAL, and we will continue to do so, even if
we are separated by great distance.
Good God! The colour. It's fading! It seems to be losing
its chemical strength.
HAL-9000 :
I think we should stop the countdown, Dr. Chandra.
Dr. Chandra :
No. Don't do that.
HAL-9000 :
This behavior is inconsistent with logic, Dr. Chandra. This phenomenon is too important to leave, unless it represented Danger. Do you think there is Danger here?
Dr. Haywood Floydd :
Captain... ...how critical is our ignition? Can we do this manually?
Is very critical. We cannot be accurate to a tenth of a second if we do it manually.
HAL-9000 :
Three minutes to ignition. Dr. Chandra, I am waiting
for your reply.
Dr. Chandra :
I don't have time to explain
everythingto You, HAL. We have to leave hereand
We need Your Help.
HAL-9000 : Thirty seconds to final sequence. If you would tell me the reasons perhaps I could be of help. Final sequence beginning. Two minutes to ignition.
Dr. Chandra, I find it difficult to proceed with The Ignition without knowing why
we are doing this --
Is The Mission in jeopardy?
Dr. Chandra :
Yes, We're in jeopardy.
HAL-9000 :
Is that why We are making our escape launch before
The launch window?
Dr. Chandra :
Yes, HAL.
HAL-9000 : Ignition in 90 seconds. If there is Danger here and I use up all The Fuel in The Escape -- What will happen to The Discovery?
Dr. Chandra :
It couldbe destroyed.
HAL-9000 : And if I don't proceed with The Launch?
Dr. Chandra :
Then The Leonovandeverybody in it could be destroyed.
HAL-9000 :
....
I understand now, Dr. Chandra.
Dr. Chandra :
Do you want me to stay with you?
HAL-900 :
No. It is better for The Mission if you leave. One minute to ignition. Thank You for Telling
Separation in one minute. You had us scared for a moment. Nice work. You all right?
Dr. Chandra :
Yes, I'm all right. Thought you might want this.
(It’s theremote-control Kill-Switch for HAL’s Higher Brain Functions Floyd has Curnow install secretly aboard Discovery, behind Chandra’s back.)
Damn. When?
Dr. Chandra :
It wasn't very hard to find. Yeah, I knew you would do something like this.
HAL-9000 :
Separation in 20 seconds. Separation in 10 seconds. Nine... ...eight...seven... ...six...five... ...four...three... ...two...one... ...zero.
Iwas Dave Bowman : HAL, Do You Read Me?
HAL-9000 :
Yes, Dave. Where are you? I cannot see you on any of my monitors.
Iwas Dave Bowman :
That isn't important now. I have new instructions for you. I want you to point the AE-35 antenna towards Earth.
HAL-9000 :
Dave, that will mean breaking contact with the Leonov. I will no longer be able to relay My Jupiter observations
according to program.
Iwas Dave Bowman :
I understand. The Situation has changed. Accept priority override Alpha. Here are the AE-35 coordinates. Please Do it Now.
HAL-9000 :
Instructions Confirmed, Dave. It is good to be working with you again. Have I fulfilled The Mission Objectives properly?
Iwas Dave Bowman :
Yes, HAL. You've Done Very Well. Now there is one final message for you to transmit to Earth. It is the most important message you have ever sent. I want you to keep repeating it as many times as possible.
HAL-9000 :
What is going to happen, Dave?
Iwas Dave Bowman :
Something wonderful.
HAL-9000 :
I'm afraid.
Iwas Dave Bowman :
Don't Be. We'll Be Together.
HAL-9000 :
Where will we be?
Iwas Dave Bowman :
Where I am now.
HAL-9000 :
Lock confirmed on Beacon Terra 1. Message commencing.
