"[theme music plays]" "[engine revving]" "[honking] [tyres screech] [crashing] [siren rings]" "We'd better check them for Contact Certificates." "Yes, sir." "Valid and up to date I hope, sir." " Yes, they're valid but" " They're all right, then." "I'm afraid not." "They're mutuals only." "Neither had contact with a third party." "[voiceover] Might you have been caught like this young couple?" "Good evening." "As you all know, it's just over a year now, since this Government introduced Contact on a national scale." "Now, I'm not here tonight to list its virtues, the hope, and the reassurance that it has given to the old and the aged." "the relief of loneliness, the benefits that can be felt in all aspects of our daily life." "All." "All this is well known to you." "What I do want to emphasise, is that we still have a lot to learn." "Take this film you've just seen." "Thousands of people are going about their daily life, even now, without the added security of a third Contact." "Damn fools if they are." "Don't want any more of this, sir, do you?" "Not for me, thank you very much." "[turns TV off]" "All they can think about now isn't it?" "Contact." "Small matters like the Economy, you wouldn't think they existed." "Oh, I agree with you." "Absolutely." "Let's see, 51 new pence isn't it?" "Afraid so, sir." "Here's to using it now just as a smokescreen." "Keep the public thinking of Contact, they won't notice the prices going up." "Pray and hope." "[till rings]" "Wakey, wakey, you look miles away." " They stopped existing." " What?" "Those two people on television." "It was just like it used to be." "They died." "Horrible." "Don't upset yourself, Mary." "It wasn't the real thing." "Just a mock-up." "Propaganda, that's all." "Even so, to be reminded." " Good evening, George." " Good evening, sir." "Large Scotch, please." "Nice to see you in here again, Mr. Hale." "It must have been about 18 months." "Oh, no." "Not as long as that, is it?" "I think so, sir." "Well, tonight's my chance to make up for lost time." "The family's staying up north overnight, so," "I'm out on the loose." "I've been going around all my old haunts." "Very quiet in here tonight." "Not like the old days." "The price of things, what can you expect, sir?" "Yes." "Of course." "I thought for a moment you were going to say it was something to do with Contact." "No, no." "That brought us quite a bit of business in really." " Contact did?" " Hmm." "Bit grim at first though." "Half the customers wanted to make Contact with us." "ln fact, I know one barman, he really got lumbered." " Six or seven of them." " What did he do?" "Well, he suddenly realised what'd happen if they all came home to roost at once." "So he went down and he had them expunged, quick." "Oh, yes." "I think we've a lot to be thankful for with Contact." "I mean, it's made people calmer, more considerate toward each other." "Yes, because they know if they don't behave themselves, their own Contact will expunge them." "Yeah but, you know." "I think it's made us less" " careful about our own safety." " Possibly." "I mean, we don't have to be scared of dying now, do we?" "As long as it's quick, without any pain, it's just a matter of, blacking out and picking up again in somebody else." "Yes, have you picked anyone up?" "Not yet, sir." "But I'm expecting to." "Bloke I knew in the army." "Builder." "He's had an accident at work." "Nasty." "Quite frankly sir, if he does come across it's the pain I'm wondering about." "What about you, sir?" "Oh, yes." "A couple of months ago, my father." "All right, was it?" "It was a bit uncomfortable at first." "Like an itch you can't scratch." "But he soon blended in." "And there's no doubt, I mean about whose memory belongs to who?" "No, all his memories have a kind of label." "The funniest thing is being able to see yourself as a baby in your own cot." "What are you drinking?" "That's very kind of you Mr Hale." "I'll have a sparkling soda." "Oh, there you are." "I've been looking everywhere for you." "I went home." "You weren't at home." "There was no message." "Look, I've told you before, if you go out at night, you leave a message." " Why should she?" " What?" "She can do what she likes." "She's a free agent." "Is this bloke bothering you?" "Making a nuisance of himself?" " How did you get here anyway?" " Sam brought me." "By car?" "Of course I did." "What's he talking about?" "Down the motorway?" "At this time of night?" " You've said your piece" " Now Sam, please." "No you've finished with him." "You're past history chum." "What you talking about?" " Tell him, Mary." " Tell me what?" "She's expunged you, that's what." "Did you get that?" "You've been expunged!" "Well, it's fascinating how they got onto Contact." "Says here, they were working with printed molecule circuits." "I haven't had any trouble in here for about a year now but I still remember what it looks like." "Because of him?" "Tell me Mary, tell me." "Sam had nothing to do with it." "It was my idea." "And your fault." " My fault?" " Well, of course it was." " Leave her alone." " Thank you, sir." " It's all right we're just leaving." "Mary?" " Mary?" "Goodnight, Miss." "[exhales]" "Get me a Scotch." "[Patrick chuckles lightly]" "You better leave the whole bottle." "I'll need that." "Keep the change." "[till rings] [laughs]" "I suppose you know what all that was about?" "No idea." "The lady expunged me." " I'm sorry." " The cow." " I wouldn't have thought" " What?" "She looked sympathetic enough." " Have you got Contacts?" " Well, of course I have." "More than one?" "My wife and I have a mutual." "Oh, I see, you're a family man." "And if anything happens to us together like a car crash or something, we're covered by my wife's brother." " Yes, I see." " No different from most people." "[chuckles dryly]" "You don't mean she was the only one?" " That's right." " Did she know?" "Yes, she knew." "That's why she did it without telling me." "When my back was turned." "But you can't keep an eye on people all the time, can you?" "No." "Hey steady!" "Thanks." "Still there are plenty more, aren't there?" "You've got plenty more friends." " Friends?" "No, not really." " Well..." "Family?" "No family." "That must sound pretty bad to you, doesn't it?" "Terrible." "It's not the first time I've been without Contact." "There was a time before Mary..." "I don't know." "I seem to find it hard to get through to people." "The name's Wilson, by the way." "Patrick Wilson." "James Hale." "There should be somebody?" "Of course there should." "By law there should." "But you know the Government had to rush things, anything to get the scheme started." "The details, such as working out reserve pools of emergency contacts, all that could be organised later." "Too late for some, no doubt." "But you must know somebody who'll take you on." "Oh, yes, plenty, don't worry about me." "I'll get one of the blokes at work." "May take a little time though." "That's the snag." "Persuade him." "That's a big step." "I don't suppose you'd tide me over, in case of accidents?" "Me?" "Oh, what am I saying you've got a wife." "Kids too, I expect." " Yes." "Twins." " Oh, marvellous." "Boys or girls?" "One of each." "Eleven months old." " I bet you're proud of them." " Wouldn't you be?" "I've got a picture of them somewhere." "It's the night that's the worst, of course." "You lie in bed, staring at the dark." "You're a kind of a living ghost." "The only "contact" you've got is with this stuff." "Wait." "Stop!" "You'll walk under a bus or something." "Most likely." "Don't you think you should sober up a bit first?" " Why?" " Look..." "If it really is just for a day or two" " You mean it?" " Well" "You're not having a joke with me?" "No, no." "I couldn't let you walk out of there in your condition." "Not even my worst enemy." "You won't regret it, Jimmy." "I'm telling you." "Where can we go?" "All the agencies are shut at this time of night." "London Airport." "All night service." "People wanting extra cover, before flying out." " Are you sure?" " Yes." "Let's not waste any time." "Let's grab a cab and get out there." "Come on, quickly." "[female voice over PA]" "You know, it gets me this place." "Every time I come here." " You been here before?" " Yes, I've been here before." "Why?" "Wait a minute, I know." "You come here to pick someone up." "Oh, Jimmy, what are you talking about?" "No, I've heard about this place..." "What do you take me for?" "I'm interested in people." "I like to see how other folk take to Contact." "The less fortunate, the drunks." "The drop-outs." "And the very young." " What you doing?" " What's the matter?" "Don't you like it?" "Doesn't your mummy know your here?" "At one time you know it used to be Gretna Green." "Dave!" "Hey, Mister." "Hello, Dave." " You leave her alone." " You better watch it, sonny." "I may be her uncle, come to take her home." "I never seen him before, Dave, honest." "She's lying." "Come on, we're getting out of here." "[laughing manically]" "Ah-ah-ah!" " What did you want to do that for?" " Do what?" "They weren't harming anybody." "I was only kidding them." "Probably doing them a favour." "Stop them rushing into foolish Contacts." "There is such a thing as the age of consent, you know." " Where are you going?" " Going home." "Now, Jimmy, you can't do that." "You're not going back on your word, are you?" "Look." "I've had my fair share of troubles but I'm not such a bad bloke." "ln any case, I look upon this as a kind of experiment." "Experiment?" "Two personalities diametrically opposed," "You and me." "Coming together under the same dome." "We're pioneers you and I, offering ourselves as guinea pigs." "Researching the frontiers of Contact, for the benefit of mankind." " That's how you see it?" " That's how it is." "Come sit down, come on." "We're next." "Come on, old lad, up we go." "I say." "Good evening." "Good morning." "Can I have your names, please?" "Mine's Patrick Wilson." "This is James Hale." "H-A-L-E." " Your occupation, Mr. Hale?" " Business Executive." "Business Executive." " And yours, Mr Wilson?" " Salesman." "Salesman." " I take it you want a mutual." " Yes." " No." " Wait a minute." "What's the matter, old man?" " It really is advisable." " Yes." "No, I'm sorry." "Don't worry about the money." "I'll pay for it." "No, no, no." "It's not fair on my family." "If anything happens to me and I get picked up by someone they don't know, they'd be very upset." "That's right, your absolutely right." "I appreciate that I really do." "Make it just one way." "Me over to him." "As you wish." "If you go through that door, Mr Wilson." "And you through that door, Mr Hale." "Thank you." "Jimmy." "Come on, old lad." " What's the matter?" " What?" "Good luck, old boy." " Good evening, sir." " Good evening." "I'm sure you've done all this before." "Yes, twice." "Sit down there, please." "Thank you very much." "[squeaking]" "[sonic whirring]" "Your Contact Certificate, Mr. Wilson." "Valid for five years." "Oh, thank you." "Now, let's get this straight." "If I die" "Instantaneous transfer." "You'd better take one of these booklets." "It tells you all you need to know." "The recommended reinforcements for personality development, adjustment lapse, temporal geographical factor" "Yes, I know all about it." "The fact is, we've had a bit of party, and I was wondering" "No, there's no known effect." "The process goes through, sober or drunk." "That's what I wanted to know about." "Your Contact Certificate, Mr Hale." "Thank you." "You all right?" "Hey, you look terrible!" "You better have a drink." "Outside if you don't mind." "Yes, all right." "Thank you very much." "Come on, Jimmy, I'll take you home." "Don't worry about a thing." "You're perfectly all right with me." "Can I have the next lot in, please?" "I'm afraid it's just not possible, madam." "[Patrick laughing, shushing]" "No, you don't have to do that." "They're away for the night." " Who's away?" " My wife and the twins." "They don't get back till tomorrow." " You told me." " Staying with her father." " Did they arrive safely?" " I don't know." "You mean you didn't telephone to find out?" "No." "No, I don't have to do that." "[Patrick exhales] [hums to himself]" "Jimmy." "Wakey, wakey." "Come on, old boy." " Hey." " Ups-a-daisy." "Hey, you don't think something's happened to them do you?" "You've got to look after them, old boy." "If something's happened, I would know, wouldn't I?" "If they'd been killed, I'd be getting them coming through?" "What are you doing?" "Putting you to bed, old boy." "Oh, thanks." "If you want to stay..." "Spare room..." " You just take it easy." " Blankets in the cupboard." " Take it easy." " Help yourself..." "I will, I will." "You're a really good friend." "I'm just helping you out until you get fixed up at work." "I know, I know." "[singing] #Can't stand by when a friend's in trouble #" "I know Jimmy, I know." "And I'll repay you." "Even if it takes me years." "And that's a promise." "[dials number, hums]" "[hums]" "Mary." "Did I wake you up?" "I'm so sorry." "Patrick, who do you think?" "Listen, I've got some news for you." "You will be, when you hear it." "[door bell ringing]" "Mr. Hale?" "Um..." "Yes." "Yes." "May I come in for a moment, please?" " Please do, yes." " Thank you." "I expect you're wondering who I am." " No, I remember." " George's Bar." "Last night." "Yes." " May I sit down?" " Oh, I'm sorry." "Please, yes." "This is rather difficult." "First, let me introduce myself." "My name's Mary Bridgwood." "I understand that after we left the bar last night," "Patrick asked you to make Contact with him." " Who?" " Patrick Wilson." "Oh, yes, that's right." " You didn't agree to it I hope?" " Yes, I did." "We went to London Airport." "Then he was telling the truth for once." "I'm sorry, what's all this about?" "He rang me up at two o'clock this morning." "My first reaction was to put the receiver down but I hung on and got your name and part of your address from him." "The rest I found in the phone book." "I've come around because" "I wouldn't want anyone have Patrick wished on them." "No?" "For the past years, he's conned" "I don't know how many people into making Contact with him." "And he's been expunged by every one of them." "I lasted about two months." "Longer than most." "Probably the record." "What's wrong with him?" "What are you doing here?" "I could ask the same of you." "Jimmy, what's she been saying about me?" "Nothing, old boy." "Calm down." "Not content with expunging me and leaving me without a Contact in the world, she has to come here, and persuade you to do the same." " You really must hate me." " Of course, she doesn't." "Tell her, Jimmy." "Tell her what I'm doing here." "If I hadn't brought him home last night, there's not knowing where he'd have ended up." "That's true." "We had a bit to drink." "Knocked down in the gutter by someone who didn't care who he hits because he's all right." "He has Contacts." "Look, Patrick, let me talk to her." "Let me explain." "All I'm doing is simply helping Patrick out." "Tiding him over" "Until he's had time to make his own arrangements." "Is that what he told you?" " With someone he knows at work." " He has no work." "She's lying." "Don't listen to her." "That's just how he started with me." "Yes well, I don't think anyone should be without Contact these days." " Thank you." " No matter who he is or what he's done." "Yes, well I felt the same." "Until he started buying me presents, doing me favours, saying that I was the only friend he had in the world." "Then he moved into my home, followed me everywhere I went just to make sure nothing happened to me." "Where would I have been if something had?" "Look, it's very kind of you to come round." "Both of you." "But you really must excuse me." "My family's due home in a couple of hours, and I promised to clean the place up." "I'll give you a hand, Jimmy." "It's the least I can do." "Don't say I didn't warn you." " Goodbye, Mr. Hale." " Goodbye." "Honestly, Jimmy, have you ever met such a vindictive woman?" "Well, I understand it." "ln this article I was reading, it said that at the start what they were after was mechanical telepathy." "They found that with printed molecule circuits, they could scan the entire contents of a brain, and transfer it to an electronic store." "So, instead of telepathy they ended up with immortality." "This really is the most delicious soup." "Don't thank me." "Thank my husband." "It comes from his firm." " It's not bad, is it?" " Out of this world." "Would you care for some more, Mr. Wilson?" "No, thank you." "Please call me Patrick." "After what James did for me," "I feel I must be regarded as a friend of the family." "Mmm." "By the way, I never found out what your job was." "You're not worried about what Mary said, are you?" "She really shouldn't go round telling such lies." " What is it you do?" " Sell space." "Space?" "Advertising space for a movie magazine." "Oh." "Talking of movies, darling, we mustn't miss that pre-Contact film." "Tomorrow's the last night." "You don't want to see that thing." "Soldiers shooting and murdering each other and no Contact?" "Darling, you don't mean..." "Wait a minute, that's not you speaking now, is it?" "What do you mean, not me?" "My stuffy old father again." "Pompous old thing." "No sense of humour at all." "I'm sorry." "I try to keep him quiet." "It's only on occasion-- Well, this film for instance..." "But you, the James you, you do want to go don't you?" "Well, I'm not sure I'd have the stomach for it." "Darling, of course you would." "Cynthia and Henry saw it in Manchester and they loved it." "Henry's my brother." "We have Contact." "Oh, I see." "All right, I'll take you, if it means so much to you." "It does." "Remind me to ask Mrs. Allan." "She's our babysitter down the road." "Not Mrs. Allan, darling." "Not Tuesdays." "It really is good of you to help us out." "I hope it's not too much trouble." "Of course not." "Course not." "Glad to." "The fact is, dear old Mrs. Allan down the road, she has to go to the Adjustment clinic on Tuesdays." "Whatever for?" "She picked up her husband last month, but he was a compulsive gambler." " And now she's at it?" " They're trying to put her right before she blows her entire pension." "I really don't think you should tell that story, darling." "Oh, it's all right to tell Patrick." "Yes, I'll keep mum." "Thank you." "Both the children are fast asleep." "Got everything you want?" "Drinks over there." "Yes, don't worry about me." "You go and enjoy yourselves." "Thank you again." "Please, don't mention it." "And mind the traffic, won't you?" "[faint chugging of car engine]" "[laughter]" "[gunfire]" "[laughter continues]" "Patrick, what the devil's going on?" "Have you just come out and left them?" " Jimmy, I can explain." " You'd better." "I only wanted to make sure you're all right." "What are you doing here?" "What about our babies?" "Are you mad?" " I can explain." " I'm warning you" "Come on, James, don't waste time talking to him." "Jimmy." "[crying]" "There, there, my darlings, Shh." "Shh." "It's all right, Mummy's here." "Mummy's with you." "There's nothing to be frightened of." " Are they all right?" " Yes, I think so." "[child wailing] Shh." "Shh." "Darling, it's all right." "Now, now." "[babies continue crying]" "Traffic's bad at this time of night." "You might have had an accident." "I got worried sitting here all alone." "I only wanted to make sure you go there safely." " Get out of here." "Get out!" " No, Jimmy." "You're the only friend I've got" "Friend?" "I wouldn't call you a friend if you were the last man on Earth." "I did you a favour." "And you've paid me back, the way that woman said you would." "I'm going straight to a Contact Agency and have you expunged." "Jimmy!" "You can't do that." "Jimmy!" "It's inhuman." "Jimmy!" "What are you thinking about?" "I'm just wondering if we weren't a bit hard on him." "Of course we weren't." "Think of the twins, James." "Just think what might have happened." "He did a terrible thing to us and the sooner we get rid of him, the better." "How you get mixed up with him in the first place" "I know, I know." "It's just that he seems so" "You're too soft with people." "Now go to sleep and forget about him." "He was so desperate." "I've never seen a man in such a state." "Supposing he did something mad, like, like killing himself." "He wouldn't!" "James, he couldn't!" "We'd better get Mrs. Allan for the twins." " I'll ring her." " Do we know his address?" "Oh, yes!" "He made sure of that all right." "Here it is." "Top of the stairs." "Number 24." "[Rowena] Quickly, darling." "[footsteps on stairs] [knocking]" "Patrick, Patrick." "It's James." "[sobbing]" "Maybe he's not in." "Yes, he is." "I can hear him." "He's laughing." "Patrick." "Look, I'm sorry about what happened." "Open the door and let's talk about it." "Is he laughing or crying?" "I don't know." "Let's go in." "Come on." "[gunshot]" "[Rowena screams]" "Is he coming over?" "Yes, yes!" "Stop him." "Stop him." "I can't!" "I can't!" "[mumbling, incoherent speech in James' head]" "[Rowena] I don't believe it!" "I know the room." "Every last detail." "There's a chest of drawers in the corner, isn't there?" "A chest of drawers..." "A chest of drawers..." "Top drawers open." "Handle's half off." "On the top a bottle of milk, quarter full, gone bad." "Pot of jam." "Knife, plate, orange peel." "Box of ammunition." "Bed has a faded blue coverlet." "Some newspapers on the top." "Under the bed a wooden box." "ln it, two brushes, empty whiskey bottle." "A photograph of Mary Bridgwood." "Mary." "Mind your fingers on the bits of glass." "My room." "[laughs manically]" "Now when, exactly, did all this happen?" "Two days ago." "We thought we should come and see you as soon as possible." " Yes." "Any headaches?" " No." "At least not since..." " Loss of appetite?" " No." "Anything else, disturbing?" "No." "Last night." "It's not important." "No, nothing." "Yes well, it's really too soon." "You'd better come and see me in a fortnight." "My secretary will arrange a time." "Is there nothing you can do now?" "Yes, I shall give him some pills." "Pills?" "You must appreciate your husband's case, it's most unusual." "Is it?" "What does that mean?" "Nothing, Dr. Goddard." "I'm sorry." "It's just that I couldn't help noticing how full your waiting room is." "Oh, I'm sorry, sir." "I thought you'd finished." "We had." "Good day, Mrs. Hale." "Mr. Hale." "Come on, Rowena." "I wonder if I could have your opinion on this one, sir." "Young man aged 22, picked up his mother six months ago." "Now he feels inhibited with members of the opposite sex." " I'm sorry, sir?" " This can't go on, Jenkins." "The Public are beginning to ask questions, and rightly because we can't cure them." "How do we cope with a nation of bi-sexuals?" "Because that's what they're going to be if this goes on much longer." "Bi-sexuals." "Homosexuals, surely, sir, to be more specific." "Queers then!" "Damned Government!" "I warned them about allowing intersex Contact." "Jumbling up mothers and sons, fathers and... and grandmas." "It's immoral." "But the Government wouldn't listen." " I wrote articles, damn it." " Yes, sir, I read them." "And it's not just these sexual traumas we're getting as you very well know." "Take that couple in here just now." "Man's got landed with some neurotic fellow." "Two totally incompatible personalities." "I mean, what are we going to end up with?" "A nation of schizophrenics, sir." "[mechanical whirring]" "It's lovely, Henry." "Thank you." "They'll be thrilled with it." "When they get a little older." "Right, well, since you've dragged me all the way from Manchester let's get to the real problem, shall we?" "It's so difficult to know where to begin." "It's been four weeks now." "At first we were both intrigued, finding out the kind of person Patrick had been." "The tricks he's played on people and the lies he's told." "And James was quite objective about all this?" "Oh, yes, in fact most of the time we just laughed, he was so awful." "Then I noticed that James was lying to me." "Small things, but I've had the most awful time getting him to own up." "What else?" "Well, he's got very careless with money." "You know, bills unpaid." "I think he's getting unpopular at work." "And he's completely lost interest in the twins." "Apparently they remind the-- the Patrick part of his own ghastly childhood." "You must simply send him off to one of these adjustment clinics, that's all." "We've been." "He's supposed to go every week." "He says he does." "But I know for a fact he doesn't turn up." "What do they say at the clinic?" "Nothing." "They don't care." "They're hopelessly overworked." "Contact's gone wrong, and the sooner we face up to it, and stop pretending it's all lovely, the better." "I agree, there's trouble with it." "ln fact, I've had several odd cases at my factory recently." "Well, it may sound mad, but I'm sure we were happier before it." "Oh, I wouldn't go so far as that, Rowena." "No, no, the pity of it is they haven't found a way of expunging people after they've come over." "Nothing would ever shift Patrick." "I hate him." "He's a coward." "And now he's got someone to hide behind he's so cocksure of himself." "He makes James say the most appalling things." "And what can you tell people?" "It's got to the point where we can't go out." "And what about you and James?" "Together, as it were?" "What do you mean together?" "I mean your sex life." "Oh." "Has it changed?" "Have you noticed any difference in James?" "Well, have you?" "Yes, I have." "Oh, like the other things, it was a while before we noticed it." " But now..." " Well?" "James and I, we were always happy enough in bed before." "Nothing very adventurous, mind you." "James was never the type to be premeditated or calculating about a thing like sex." "And now you've found out how much you were missing?" "It may have been your influence, but I often used to think a little more variety might be rather fun." "[chuckling]" "It isn't." "It isn't even exciting." "Just rather crude." "And it embarrasses poor James terribly, afterwards." "Yes, I suppose it would." "You know, there's another odd thing too." "There's this woman." "Mary someone, friend of Patrick's." "James says he's only met her once, but she's beginning to crop up in our conversations." "That's not good at all, is it?" "He's coming in." "Now, Henry please be careful." "He must not know we've been talking behind his back." "Don't you worry." "I can handle him." "But there's no point pretending it's not happening, Rowena." "This thing's got to be face squarely." "Now for a start." "Sit down and relax." "That's it." " Henry." " Hello, James." "No one told me you were coming." "Well I came down on business, old chap, and thought I'd pop in." "She didn't send for you?" "No." "Why should she?" "I've just told you" "Never mind." "I'll get you a drink." " Same as usual?" " Yes, thank you." " How's Cynthia?" " Fine." " The kids?" " They're fine." "Good." "I hope you're staying overnight?" "Well, I don't know if I should." "You must." "We haven't seen you for so long." "A lot to talk about." "All right, James." "I will stay." "Good." "Sit down, make yourself at home." "Thanks very much." " I've just been hearing about" " Have you?" "I was just telling Henry" "Of course you were." "It's right that you should." "I don't mind." "Well, I think the best thing we can do is to talk about this frankly and openly." "And that's why you're here." "All right." "I'm prepared to admit it." "Good." "Just as long as we know where we stand, Henry." "Darling." " Well, now..." " First of all, I'd like to say I'm sorry" "Why?" "Ever since I decided to do this experiment, everybody seems to think I need pity." "Experiment?" "What are you talking about?" "Didn't she tell you?" "No, I was under the impression" "Let's get this straight right away." "What happened in George's Bar that night was no accident." "I'd been planning it for a long time." "It was a matter of selecting the right person that's all." "Where are you going?" "I've some things to do in the kitchen." "No, I want you to stay here and listen to me." "I can't have you going around giving people the wrong impression of me, Rowena." "Come on, I said sit down!" "No, you see, Henry." "I find it fascinating that for centuries man has had to live with the fear of death." "And then suddenly, through some chance doodling with printed molecule circuits, we find the key to everlasting life." "The most staggering about-face in man's history." "And what happens?" "We all run off like sheep for the treatment and then sit back in utter complacency, too unthinking or too nervous to examine the implications, to ask questions." "Well, I couldn't agree with you there." "Plenty of people doing research on the subject." "And I want to be one of them." "I made Contact with Patrick, because I wanted to find out what happened when two personalities, diametrically opposed, came together under the same dome." "All right, but how did you know he was going to put a bullet through his head?" "That was pretty convenient, wasn't it?" "I agree." "But I knew I'd get him sooner or later." "It just happened to be sooner." "Well all I can say is, James, it was damned irresponsible of you." "What about your family?" "Rowena and the kids?" "Rowena backed me up all along." "Didn't you, darling?" " What?" " Tell him." "Yes, darling, of course I did." "Well, she may have." "But I certainly didn't." "And as your other Contact, I should have been told." "Supposing you two had an accident." "What then?" "A fine mess I'd be landed with." "Is that all you can think of?" "What happens to you?" "ln this case, yes." "Look, already this year, Contact has lifted misery from millions of people, the old, the lonely, not to mention you, Henry." "But we still don't know anything about it." "Someone's got to take a chance." "Fair enough." "Only don't let it be me." "At least, not without asking, that's all I'm saying." "I've got a wife and four kids to consider." "I know, Henry." "If you haven't got the stomach for it, you know what you can do, don't you?" "Very well, James." "If that's what you want." " No Henry, please." " I'm sorry, Rowena." "Henry, it isn't him speaking." "[cackles]" "From the first time I met you," "I found you pompous, boring and limited." "And the prospect of seeing life through your eyes has long since filled me with the utmost dismay." "You see?" "Quite impossible." "Any time you want to bring the twins up, you know Cynthia and l" "Yes, thank you, Henry." "And, of course, it's only him I'll be expunging." "Not you." " Goodbye, James." " Goodbye, Henry." "[door opens]" "James." "He thinks I need him." "He thinks I can't get other Contacts." "[chuckling]" "That's, too bad." "One thing to be said for Jimmy Hale, he's never been short of friends." "Thanks, George." "Have one yourself, will you." "That's very kind of you, sir." "I'll have a sparkling soda." "[laughing]" " There you are." " Thank you, Sam." " Cheers." " Cheers." " Evening, George." " Evening, Mr. Hale." " Same as usual?" " Yes, please." " Thank you, sir." " Thank you." "[tell rings]" " Hello." " Hello." " You heard what happened?" " Yes." "That's right, you're the one who got settled with that nut case Patrick Wilson." " Mary" " Oh Sam, please." "He was very fond of you, did you know that?" "ln fact, he's forgiven you." "He's forgiven her?" "He has some pretty harsh thoughts on Sam here, though." "What do you mean?" "What sort of thoughts?" "[chuckling]" "Well, go on, what sort of thoughts?" "Sam, do you mind if I talk to Mr. Hale alone?" " What?" " Please." "It won't take long." "All right." "Are you going to marry him?" "It's not important." "You must forgive me, Mr Hale." "I know it sounds ridiculous but," "I don't really know who I'm talking to." "Yes, I see your point." "You have me at a disadvantage." "I mean, we're virtually strangers and yet I..." "I feel you seem to know so much about me." "Intimate things." "You're right, I do." " It's very disconcerting." " Must be." "Well, for that reason," "I think it would be better if we didn't meet again." "I mean, you've got your life to lead." "Your wife and family" "Did you love him?" "He really would like to know." " I'd rather not talk about it." " No." "But you can't be too easy with him while I'm around, can you?" " What exactly do you mean?" " You feel guilty about me." " You feel you owe me something." " Certainly not." "That's absolute nonsense." "I went out of my way to warn you." "Even so." "Look, you must realise it's very difficult for me at the moment." " I'm sorry." " I've still got Contact with my wife but my other Contact, her brother, well with things as they were, I had to expunge him." "Otherwise it wouldn't have been fair." "Now this leaves me short of cover." "If anything happens to me and my wife together..." " You're asking me to" " Why not?" "Look, I tried to explain." "I took on Patrick as an experiment." "I don't believe any man should be so lonely." " You're out of your mind." " You owe it to me, Mary." " Please, let go." " Why?" " You shut up." " What did he say?" "Go away." "Having a little trouble, are we, sir?" "I'm sorry." "Get me another drink, George, please." " One for these kind people." " We're not staying here." "No, I really am sorry." "Will you forgive me?" "Example of the sort of tricks he gets up to." "You rat." "She doesn't want you." "From now on we're sticking to my friends like George here." "He'll take us on if we ask him nicely, won't you, George?" " Me, sir?" " That's what barmen are for, take on people's troubles." "Isn't that right, George?" "I'd have to think about it, sir." "No good." "It's got to be now." "We're friends, aren't we?" "Remember the old days before I was married, before Contact." " Yes, sir, but" " Just to tide me over, George." " No, sir." " [shouting] I'm asking you, George." "[glasses shattering] We'd better get the police." "Why's everybody frightened of me?" "Have I got a disease or something?" "I'm Jimmy Hale." "You all know me." "I wouldn't hurt a fly." "If a chap's in trouble, I'll help him." "I won't stand by..." "Why doesn't somebody help me for a change?" "I'm back, Mrs. Allan." "Thank you." "Mrs. Allan?" "Hello, shouldn't you be working?" "I took the day off." " You're not feeling ill, are you?" " No, I'm all right." "Mrs. Allan was sitting in for me." "I sent her away." "Don't worry, the twins are asleep." "Darling, why are you unpacking my suitcase?" "You do remember I'm supposed to be flying out to Manchester this evening." "Not now." "Don't be silly." "Cynthia and Henry are expecting me." "No, I telephoned them." "Darling." "You wanted me to go." "We discussed it." "You wanted Henry to take you back, until you could persuade one of your friends." "I was to go up there with the twins and talk him around." "I just don't want you to leave me, that's all." "Don't be silly." "Of course I'm not going to leave you." "Things are getting better all the time." "Dr. Goddard at the clinic said so." "Oh, James." "And I can feel it myself." "Just as long as you stay here." "We don't need Henry." "We don't need anyone, you and I." "Just as long as we take care and avoid stupid risks like flying up to Manchester in the middle of the night." "Take a lesson from that air crash in Canada last week." "They still don't know how many passengers were covered." "It means I'll have to give up my job of course, but I don't mind." "The twins can grow up here." "We've got plenty of food." "Books and television for their education." "They won't want for anything." "And as soon as they're old enough, they can arrange their own contact." "They'll come for us, of course." "People from the welfare." "The men from the Adjustment clinic." "But we'll be ready for them." "We won't let them harm us." "No more risks." "No more danger." "We're safe." "Safe." "Safe." "Safe."