"All my life, I've lived and worked in the big city which, now that I think of it, is kind of a problem, since I always feel uncomfortable around crowds." "I mean it." "I have a fear of enclosed spaces." "Everything makes me feel trapped." "I tell myself there's gotta be something better out there." "But maybe I..." "I think too much." "I think everything goes back to the fact... that I had a very anxious childhood." "My mother never had time for me." "When you're the middle child in a family of five million, you don't get any attention." "How is it possible?" "And I've had these abandonment issues." "My father was basically a drone, like I've said." "And the guy flew away when I was a larva." "And my job, don't get me started, because it really annoys me." "I" " I was not cut out to be a worker, I'll tell you right now." "I" " I" " I feel physically inadequate." "My whole life, I've never been able to lift... more than 10 times my own body weight." "And, when you get down to it, handling dirt is, you know... urgh, is not my idea of a rewarding career." "It's this whole gung ho, superorganism thing... that... that, you know, I can't get." "I try, but I don't get it." "I mean..." "I'm supposed to do everything for the colony." "A-and what about my needs?" "What about me?" "I've gotta believe there's someplace better than this." "Otherwise, I would just curl up in a larval position and weep." "The whole system makes me feel... insignificant." "Excellent." "You've made a breakthrough." " I have?" " Yes, Z. You are insignificant." "I am?" "Ground floor." "Uh, worker." "Soldier." "0oh." " Uh-oh." " Worker." "Let's try it again." "Firm grip." "Swing hard." "Back straight." "Concentrate." "Follow through." "0K." "Got to keep a positive attitude." "Even though I'm utterly insignificant." "I'm" " I'm insignificant, um, but with attitude." "0h, sorry, Z," " I didn't see ya." " Great, Azteca." "I'm so meaningless, I'm invisible." "Now, you're getting it." "After all, it's not about you." "It's about us... the team." "It's about... this." "Uh, a giant hole in the ground?" " 0K, people." "Are we feeling good?" " Yeah!" " Yeah." " Great." "Now, R-1734 through Z-7829, you guys are on wrecking ball." " You got it." " Swell." " You got it." " All right." "Now, remember, Azteca, "Be the ball."" "That's the main thing." "You know, be one with the ball." "Would you cut it out already?" "Jeez." "I love my work." "And you, well..." "You think too much." "Come on, Z. Help us build a bigger, better colony." "And try to be happy about it." "Sure, you know." "I mean, why..." "How could I be unhappy being construction equipment?" " 0K, workers, remember." " Here it comes." " Be the ball." " 0h!" "Let the energy flow through you." "G-grin and bear it." "This is..." "this is for the colony. 0h." "0w!" "T-this is just a lawsuit waiting to happen." " Hang on." "Here we go." " Faster." "Harder." "Did you know heights make me nauseous?" "No." "This is a ball!" "Hey!" " 0h, Z." " Yes, yes." "I dropped the ball." "Workers." "They're weak." "They lack discipline." "They lack commitment." "General, I know there's been a glitch or two, but everybody is working full tilt, as it is..." "You can't help it, it's your nature." "But in spite of your limitations, you will finish this tunnel on schedule." "Come hell or high water." "Anyone who falls behind will explain why to Colonel Cutter." "And let me assure you, the colonel is not as understanding as I am." "Dismissed." "Four more days, Cutter." "Four more days." "Then we can bid farewell to their kind of incompetence." "Yes, sir." "A fresh start." " Imagine it!" " A strong colony, sir." "A colony we can be proud of." "Yes, but we're not there yet." "We just got word that a termite army has mobilised against us." " Against us?" " We'll have to send troops... to attack their colony." "Attack a termite colony, sir?" " That's suicide." " Exactly." " Do you have the list I asked for?" " Yes, General." "These are the units loyal to the queen." "Hm." "Then they're the ones we'll be sending." "It's a shame." "There's some fine officers here." "Don't we need the queen's approval to declare war?" "Our very next stop, Cutter." "General, we've been at peace for years." " Why would they attack?" " They want our land." "They're desperate for new territory." "Perhaps they think we've grown soft." "Why don't we dispatch an ambassador, negotiate a new treaty?" " We don't need to send soldiers." " Believe me, every ant in this colony is so precious to me." "That's why we must strike now." "We have the element of surprise." "If the termite troops enter our colony..." "Yes, General, I know what they can do to us." " Very well." " You've made a wise decision." "In fact, you've ensured the future of this colony." "Hello, General." "Princess Bala." "What a nice surprise." "You look lovelier each time I see you." "Thanks." "I hope you're not just here on business." "0h, of course..." "of course not." "Because, um, it might be nice... if we had a conversation once before we get married." "You're absolutely right." "Schedule me some private time with Princess Bala." "Uh, sir, there is time now for a personal moment." "We're a few seconds ahead of schedule." "Excellent." "Princess." "Well, a few seconds isn't much, but I guess if it's quality time..." "So, how was your day?" "Anything interesting happen?" " We declared war." " Declared war?" "Boy, talk about a rough day." "Sir, I hate to interrupt, but time stands still for no ant." "Princess." "Mom, could you remind me, why am I marrying this guy?" "Bala, do we have to argue about this again?" "We don't have anything in common." "The guy's a stiff." "Yes, darling." "I know the General is... a little gruff and somewhat overbearing at times, but I know that he cares about you." "He's just not particularly good at showing it." "But he was very persistent when he asked to marry you." "But why me?" "Because you're the one who has to continue my work." " What if I don't like my place?" " Everyone has their place, Bala... you, the soldiers, the workers." "It's not that bad being princess, is it?" "Would you rather be carting around dirt all day?" "Mother, don't be so dramatic." "At least they have some fun every now and then." " Two aphid beers." " Why'd I have to be born a worker?" "You soldiers get glory, plus you get to go outside." "You meet interesting insects, you kill them." "Yeah." "But you get to spend all day with those... beautiful worker girls." "Weaver, they're career girls." "They're obsessed with digging." "I don't think I'm ever gonna meet the right girl for me." "A girl for you?" "I was talking about a girl for me." "Don't you want your aphid beer?" "Call me crazy, but I can't drink from the anus of another creature." "Suit yourself." "Ahh." "Me, I'm cuttin' loose." "We got royal inspection comin' up." "Standing around like an idiot while a bunch of blue-bloods smirk at you." "How do you put up with it?" "Z, I've known you for a long time, right?" "You were born two seconds after me." "And ever since then I've listened to you complain." "What are you bitching about?" "We ants are running the show." "We're the lords of the Earth." "Hey, don't talk to me about earth, 0K?" "Cos I just spent all day hauling it around." "There's just gotta be a better place." "There is." "I've been there." "Sorry?" "Were you talking to me?" "There is a better place..." "Insectopia." "0h, really?" "Lunatic at three o'clock." "You can't understand till you go there and see it yourself." "You can be your own ant there." "The streets are paved with food." "Nobody telling' you what to do." "No wars." "No colony." " I shoulda never left." " 0h." "Fascinating." "We were on a long-range recon." "I got cut off from my unit." "Nothing like post-traumatic stress disorder to complete your day." " Then I saw it!" "Insectopia!" " Hey!" "You head towards the monolith." "Ten clicks past the canyons to the land of red and white." "You've had enough for one night." "Come on." "Before you get in trouble." "Head for the monolith." "Listen to me!" "The monolith!" "That guy's got a screw loose." " Across the lake!" " Insectopia." "Hmm." "It'd be great if it were that easy." " Yeah." "Dream on, Z." " Cross the lake!" "Look for the land of red and white!" "Wow!" "This is so... gritty." "Ten minutes, right?" "This place is off limits." "Just blame me." "Say it was all my idea." " It is all your idea." " Besides, no one will recognise us." "Come on, girls." "What do you say?" "Let's take a walk on the wild side." "0K, everybody, 6:15." "Time to dance." " Time to cut a rug, Z. - 0h, no." "That's 0K." "I'm gonna leave the rug just the way it is, Weaver." "Step back, ladies." "I'm gonna ask one of these workers to dance with me." "0h." "What a bunch of losers." "Mindless zombies capitulating to an oppressive system." "Hi." "Wanna dance?" "Absolutely." "Follow me." "So, how come I haven't seen you around here before?" "0h, I don't get out much." "I, uh, I work over at the palace." "The palace?" "I bet those royals really live it up." "Course they're all..." "you know... from inbreeding." "What?" "Yowch!" "Y-y... yowch!" "Yowch." " Yooowch." " What on earth are you doing?" "Well, actually, to tell you the truth, I'm sort of making it up." "Really?" "Why does everybody have to dance the same?" "That's completely boring." "It's no fun." "Hey." "Watch your step, worker." "You watch yours or you'll be in big trouble!" "Th-th-that's 0K." "I'll..." "let him off this time." "Are you crazy?" "He's built like a pebble." " Aren't you gonna defend yourself?" " Hey, buddy." "Get back in place." " Me?" "Uh... uh..." " What if he doesn't want to?" "Yeah." "What if I don't like my place?" " We got us a troublemaker." " Buckle up, Spanky." "This one goes out to all the lazy workers." "Watch that aggressive behaviour, buddy." "He's just a worker." "Princess Bala!" "Princess Bala!" "The guards are coming." " Let's get outta here." " Wait." "Princess?" "You're a princess?" "Uh..." "I gotta go." " When can I see you again?" " Let me think." "Never." " Bye." " No, wait!" "0of!" "What a day it has been" "What a rare mood I'm in" "Why, it's almost like being in love" "There's a smile on my face for the whole insect race" "Why, it's almost like being in love" "Yowch." " Can I get you another one, pal?" " No... thanks." " I think I'm gonna go." " Yeah." "I don't blame you." "It's always slow in here before those royal reviews." "I guess soldiers need their shuteye before they meet the queen." "That's it!" "You know, I was once..." "See ya." "Psst." "Weaver." "I figured it out." "Weaver." "Weaver!" "What?" "What?" "I got a great idea." "Switch places with me." "Let me go to the inspection instead of you." " What time is it?" " The royal family will be there." " This is the only way I can see her." " See who?" " Princess Bala." " Are you nuts?" "You want me to switch places with you?" "Do you know how much trouble you can get into for impersonating' a soldier?" "It's trouble just listenin' to someone talking' about impersonating' a soldier." "You have to help me." "If I can't see her again, my life is not worth living." "P-p-please, Weaver." "Please." "Switch jobs with me just, you know, for a day." "Th-think of everything I've done for you." "Hm." "I can't think of anything." "0K." "So, think of all the things that I'm gonna do for you." "Would I meet some worker girls?" "Are you kidding?" "They always go for the new guy." "It's like a sport for them." "And they will definitely go for an adorable little insect like you." "Weaver, I..." "I have to see her again." "Z, what kind of chance do you have with a princess?" "I mean, she probably won't even remember you." "I" " I know it sounds nuts... but I have to try." "0h, boy." "Princess, fancy meeting you here." "What do you say we..." "lose this crowd?" "0h, me?" "You know, I..." "I wear many hats." "You'd have to call me a Renaissance ant." "Eyes right!" " Beautiful!" "Just beautiful!" " Mm." " The precision." "The order." " 0h." "Princess Bala!" "Princess Bala!" "Hey." "It's me." "Remember Z from the bar?" "Princess Bala!" "Princess Bala!" "Princess..." "Bala, you must encourage the troops." "Wave." "0h." "She sees me." "Excuse me, guys." "I" " I..." "Sorry." " I just got a better offer." "Excu..." " Company halt!" "Princess!" "Princess Bala!" "Quiet there!" "Get back in rank." " You new, kid?" " Y-yes, but I'm gettin' out soon." "I got a trial membership." "Trial membership." "Good one!" " Name's Barbatus." " Z." " Right face!" " Psst." "Sacrifice." "To some, it is just a word." "To others, it is a code." "I'm bad at word games." "A soldier knows that the life of one ant doesn't matter." "What matters is the colony." "He'll live for the colony, fight for the colony, die for the colony." " This guy's crazy." " I hear ya." "At 0800 hours, we received word that the termite enemy has mobilised." "We have no choice but to launch a pre-emptive strike." "You are the queen's finest." "I know you will all do your duty." "I am proud to send you into battle." "Into..." "I'm..." "I'm sorry." "Into battle?" " Dismissed." " Left face!" "Forward march!" "I think there's been a terrible mistake." "The truth is I just... came for the speech." "Don't worry, kid." "I'll watch out for ya." " Sound off." " One!" " Two!" " Three!" " Huh?" " Five!" " Six!" " Seven!" " Eight!" " Nine!" " Ten!" " Eleven!" " Twelve!" " Thirteen!" "We ants go marching one by one hurrah, hurrah" "We slaughter termites just for fun, hurrah, hurrah..." "So, these termites, th-they're..." "We're talkin' pushovers, right" "Not really, they're five times our size." "And they shoot acid from their foreheads." "Hey!" "Keep it movin', shorty!" "We ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah" "We'll all be dead before we're through, hurrah..." "Say, exactly... what exactly does our platoon do?" "I mean, will we be serving beverages or processing paperwork?" "Our platoon has the best assignment - first into battle." "We ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah" "Hurrah!" "Hurrah!" "We're off to face our destiny hurrah, hurrah..." "Let's not..." "We're being too hasty here." "These guys sound like bruisers." "How were you figuring on beating them?" "Superior numbers, kid." "Overwhelm their defences and kill their queen." "Fellas, you're being a little extreme." "Let's influence their political process with campaign contributions." "I like you, kid." "You got a sense of humour." "Forward!" "Come on!" "Let's kick some termite butt!" "Over the top!" "Yeeow!" "Yee-ha!" " Where is everyone?" " Something's not right." "Don't be scared, kid." "They're here!" "Ahh!" "Attack!" "Come on!" "Ahh!" "Barbatus, you saved my life." "Don't get all sappy about it." "Hey, guys!" "Behind you!" "Hey... hey, guys?" "Can somebody help me here?" "Anybody...?" "Yeah!" "0K, mama!" "Unh!" "Yeah. 0of!" "0h, yeah." "Big guy comin' through." "I love it." "Hey, hey, hey!" "Take it easy, muscles." "You're makin' the rest of us look bad." "What happened to Z?" "He's... takin' a personal day, so I'm filling in." "You fill in any more, and you'll explode." "Eh, you got a problem?" "No, uh... uh..." "Nobody told me digging was so much fun." "You know, you pick the dirt up." "You move it." "You pick it up again." "You move it again." "Lots of reps." "You exercise the arms and the thorax." "Yes, I..." "I see what you mean." " Yeah." "Fascinating." " Sorry, sir!" "I was just chattin' with my friend, sir." "You know, I just had a chat with General Mandible." "Anybody who doesn't meet his quota is going to be downsized." "Come on." "Cut him a break." "He's new." "Hey." "What do you say we help your attitude a little bit... by taking away your rations for the day." "Thanks for your time." "I don't know what came over me." "Talking back like that?" "I must be losin' it." "Sorry I got you in trouble." "But, you can..." "share my rations..." "Whoa!" "If you want." "Are you askin' me out to dinner?" "0h, no." "I..." "Well, if you don't have anything else planned..." "I'll check my calendar." "You know," "I'm kinda glad Z's takin' a breather." "Kid!" "Kid, over here." "Barbatus." "Be honest, kid." "Am I hurt bad?" "N-no." "N-not at all." "You're..." "Actually, you're lookin' terrific." "You got, you know, swell colour in your cheeks." "No." "I can see it in your eyes." "I'm a goner." "Help me up, Z." "I c-can't feel my legs." "You gotta hang in there, buddy." "I know you're gonna make it." "Just take... take deep breaths." "Because I'm gonna try and find your body." "It's bound to be..." "out there... s-somewhere." "B-Barbatus, hang on." " B-Barbatus." " Don't make my mistake, kid." "Don't follow orders your whole life." "Think for yourself." "Oh..." "Barbatus." "We're on schedule." "Work is completed on "A" section, sir." "We're clearing "D" section now." "I want double shifts around the clock." " Is that clear?" " Crystal, sir." "Good." "What about section..." " Excuse me, sir." " This better be important." "It's the termite battle, sir." "The enemy was destroyed, but it was a disaster for our troops, as well." "Well, that's terrible." "Terrible." "There is good news, sir." "One soldier made it back." " No kidding." " What?" "Word is spreading." "The Queen wants to meet the war hero." "Damn!" "Good." "Damn good." "Uh, I'll handle this." "Congratulations, soldier." "You're a little short for a war hero, aren't you?" "A war hero?" "Sir, I" " I don't actually think that I'm a hero." "Good." "I don't like heroes." "But, sir." "You don't understand..." "I..." "I didn't do anything." "I mean, it was all horrible." "It was just... just a massacre." "A-a massacre upon a massacre." "That's good, soldier." "Now, wave." "There was nothing you could do, Weaver." "You didn't know they were going to war." "I just feel horrible." "Poor Z. I should have never let him go." "Wait a minute." "That's no soldier." "That's Z!" "Z?" "The little guy made it!" "Let's go, soldier." "As I was saying, son, you are an ant after my own heart." "An ant that looks Death in the face and laughs." "Well, the truth is," "I" " I just make belittling comments... and snicker behind Death's back." "General Mandible." "Keep your comments to yourself." "Let me do the talking." "May I present Her Majesty the Queen." "Charmed." "Charmed." "And the Royal Princess Bala." "Welcome home, soldier." "We cannot begin to express our gratitude for your heroic efforts." "The private asked me to convey his humble appreciation." "Please, please, it was nothing, really." "Just run-of-the-mill valour..." "and extraordinary courage, you know." "In battle, there's very little time to think." "One must attack!" "Attack!" "Attack!" "Well, indeed." "As you can see, Your Highness, the battlefield is fresh in his mind, so this is the perfect time to debrief the private." "0h, please, General." "Not on our first date." ""Not on our first date."" "Haven't I seen you somewhere before?" "Well, maybe." "Then again, maybe not." "And then... then again..." "Yowch." "That's it!" "The guy from the bar." " Don't..." "Shh." " Bar?" "What bar?" "I danced with this guy at the bar the other night." "He was just a worker, then." " What were you doing at a bar?" " That's what I want to know." "No." "This isn't about me." "I mean, look what this worker's done." "You're thinkin' of someone else." "I am a soldier." "Exactly." "You WERE a worker but now, you're a war hero." " He's a worker?" " A worker danced with my fiancée?" "F-fiancée?" "W-w-wait a minute." "This is not how it looks." "I can explain." "She was the one making all the moves." "Arrest him." "H-hey, wait, can't we discuss this?" "What are you doing?" "Let go of her!" " He's taking her hostage!" " Huh?" "No." "No, I'm not." "I mean, yes, I am." "One more step and the princess gets it." "0h, let go of me!" "0w!" "Don't make me hurt her." "Get off!" "Ugh. 0h." "What are you doing, you creep?" "Are you out of your puny little mind?" "There they are!" "Let's go!" "Move!" "0h, good." "Here they come, to rescue me... and kill you." "Kill?" " Hey, you guys!" " Stop!" "What are you doing?" "Get off, you little twerp!" "Don't throw away everything we've got!" "What're you waiting for?" "Hello!" "Guys!" " Huh?" " What is it?" "It's beautiful." "Ridgeway, get out of there!" " 0of!" " 0h!" " 0h, don't worry." "I'm 0K." " You?" "!" "You're OK?" "Hey, who cares about you?" " I almost died." " Calm down." "Don't let a little near-death experience ruin your mood." "Hey, this is not a mood." "You're not listening to me." "Where am I?" "Look, what's-your-name, just climb up that tree and find out where I am." "Look, th-the trick is not to panic." "You know, h-h-he w-who panics is lost." "What am I saying?" "We are lost." "Whoa!" "Ow!" "I've been kidnapped by the village idiot." "Who's the bigger idiot - the idiot, or the idiot who gets kidnapped by the idiot?" "Did you talk those termites to death?" "I can't believe you tried to pass yourself off as a soldier." "Why are you stalking me?" "Don't you realise that I'm..." "out of your league?" "Y0U were cruising the worker bar for action," "And you happened to find it... the swarthy, earthy, sensual worker." "Please." "I was slumming it." "Don't you get it?" "I chose you because you were the most pathetic little bug in the joint." "I was gonna let you become part of my most erotic fantasies, but now, you can forget that." "You know, I guess what you prefer is Old Blood and Guts." "His idea of a romantic night out is two seats at an execution." "You really chose the right husband." "For your information, the General and I are deeply, deeply in... engaged." "You come right back down here this instant!" "We are marching straight back to the colony so that I..." "The monolith!" "Wonderful." "That's an appealing offer." "But, considering the options, you go." "I'm going to Insectopia." "0h, come on." "Insectopia?" "You're crazier than I thought." "Yeah?" "Well, I happen to have it on a very reliable source." "0r... or should I say, a drunk, raving source?" "But the point is, I'm convinced the place definitely exists." "Stop!" "I order you to stop, worker!" "Hey, I got a name, OK?" "It's Z." "And out here, you can't order me around." "All right." "Fine." "No problem." "0h...!" "Wha-what?" "Worker!" "Worker!" "Where are you?" "Z?" "Z?" "Wait for me." "No more excuses, General." "I want my daughter back." "I'm beginning to doubt your ability to handle this." "Your Highness, we will spare no effort to bring her back." "Princess Bala is... essential to all our plans for the future." "So he kills himself 100 termites, gets a few medals, then bada-bing, bada-bip, bags himself the Princess." " He looks him in the eye..." " And says, "Bite me."" "To General Mandible?" "Buddy." "Hey, hey, buddy." "You heard about the war hero named Z?" "Runs off with the Princess, right?" "When they sent the guards after him, he just looks at 'em and boom!" " They burst into flames." " Z?" "You talkin' about Z?" "I know Z. He's a friend of mine." "I think you..." " You know Z?" " Yeah." "He's a worker." "A worker?" "That's impossible." "A worker can't do anything, except work." "Yeah." "We got no choice." "We do have a choice." "Uh, I mean, look at Z." "He wanted something, and he went for it." "He's not alone." "I was a soldier and I switched places with him." "You're tellin' me..." " I don't have to be here?" " We've got a choice?" "They don't want you to know, but we don't have to work." "Workers control the means of production." "If Z don't dig, I don't dig." "People, what is this, an encounter group?" "Get back to work." "Why?" "... on the tunnel!" "This guy, Z, he's leadin' a revolution!" "I'll... get back to you." "Think about it, Z... two ants." "Who ever heard of two ants?" "Two million ants, maybe." "But two?" "Look, I'm hungry, I'm thirsty..." "And this whole desert thing?" " It just doesn't work for me." " Yada, yada, yada..." "It's about time you took me back." "Take yourself back." "Excuse me!" "You kidnapped me, remember?" "That means you have certain responsibilities." "You can't just abandon me here." " It's better than the colony." " You're not serious?" "!" "Maybe you were living it up, but personally, this beats digging." "If you'd ever done a day's labour you'd know." "Labour?" "What do you know about labour?" "How would you feel if you had to give birth every ten seconds for the rest of your life?" " Gee." " Water!" "Ahh." "All you think about is yourself." "Nobody else ever thought about me." "So I don't need anybody else." "Unh!" "Help!" "Help me, Bala!" "Help!" "B-B-B-B-Bala!" "I'll get you out." "Hold on." "Help, Ba..." " Thanks." " Don't mention it." "Now, maybe we can put this fantasy behind us... and head back to the colon... 0h, Z!" "What are you doing?" " We've gotta cross the lake." " Am I missing something?" "Didn't we just get 0UT of the water?" "Bala, look, what have you got to lose?" "I mean, think about it." "Do you really want to be Mrs Raving Lunatic?" "There's a better place." "Z, please." "Just... gimme one chance." "If we don't find Insectopia soon," "I promise I'll take you back to the colony." "I hope you know what you're doing." "Yeah, me too." "We want Z!" "We want Z!" "People, come on." "I know some ants who won't make their quota." "Buzz off, pawn of the oppressor." "We want Z!" "We want Z!" "Sorry, sir." "I came as soon as I heard." "I was debriefing the trackers." " And?" "What's the report?" " Well, this Z, sir..." "He's one slippery character." "They lost Bala's trail at the edge of the lake." "The lake?" "All we are saying" "Is give Z a chance..." "What's that soldier doing there?" "It appears he's holding hands, sir." "With a worker." "I don't like the way things are going, Cutter." "I'm counting on you for results." " Can I depend on you or not?" " Yes, sir." "All right." "Let's wrap this up." "We want Z!" "We want Z!" "We want Z!" "I've heard a lot about this Z." "I even had the pleasure of meeting him once." "But where is he now?" "!" "Can anyone point him out?" "I mean, if this Z cares so much about us, then why isn't he here?" "I'll tell you why." "Because Z doesn't give a damn about us." "That's why he kidnapped our princess and ran away." "Z is no hero." "We are the heroes." "We are the ones ensuring the future of our great colony." "And when we've completed this magnificent structure, we will reap the benefits more food and less work for everyone." "And as further reward for your efforts, every one of you will get the day off... so you can be the guests of honour at the MegaTunnel dedication ceremonies!" "Mandible!" "Mandible!" "Mandible!" "Mandible!" "Mandible!" "Mandible!" "Now, bring me that soldier." "Mandible!" "Mandible!" "0h, my God!" "Z!" "Come here!" "It's Insectopia!" "You were right." "It really is here." " Huh?" " All right." "All right!" " You're a genius." " Let's eat." "Mmph!" "Huh." "Well?" "What's the problem?" "There's some kind of force field." "Uh, excuse me." "Excuse me!" "How do you get in?" "Yes, well, I'm afraid this is a private function." " Who are your friends, dear?" " Crawling insects, poopsie." "0h." "The poor dears." "Uh, good morning." " Huh?" " Darling, really." "Greeting every insect that emerges out of the grass?" "Pardon me!" "I guess you don't recognise me!" "I've been travelling and I'm all... schlumpy." "I'm Princess Bala." "0h!" "It's even worse." "They're Eurotrash." "Darling, they're poor." "They're dirty." "They're smelly." "We have to help them." "If you'll just wait right here, we'll fetch you a little something." "0h, please, Muffy." "Not another crusade." "Chippie, we have a social obligation to the less fortunate." "I know you laugh at my hobbies, but this is important to me!" "Mm." "You have such a big heart." "That's why you're my little cuddly-widdles." "0h, my big, strong pheromone factory." " Mmm!" " 0h!" "0h, brother." "Suddenly I've lost my appetite." " You know..." " Muffy..." "I guess I had imagined Insectopia..." "I don't know... a little differently." "0h, Muffy!" " No!" "0h, no!" " 0h, no." " Rumbling" " Look out!" "Z, help me!" "Z!" "Don't let me..." "Don't let me go, Z." "Get me out of here!" "Bala!" "Whoa, this is not good." "Whoa!" "Whoa-oa-oa!" "Whoa!" "Hi." " Z?" " Yes?" "It looks like this is it, just when..." "I was starting to like you." "Who the hell is that?" "Uhh!" "That's enough." "I ain't telling' you nothin'." "Soldier, the princess is vital to the future of this colony." "She must be returned to take her proper place as queen." "We already have a queen." "As for your friend Z, why should I hurt him?" "He's not important." "Now, soldier, we all know that one individual ant doesn't matter." "Not you... not Cutter..." "Not even her." "Azteca!" "Don't tell that tight-ass!" "Aagh!" "Where is Z?" " I don't know where he is!" " Hmm." "That's too bad." "Wait!" "Insectopia." "I know it sounds crazy, but that's where he'd be going." "Soldier, you think this is a game?" "Insectopia does not exist." "As a matter of fact... it does." " Sir?" " I'll brief you on the co-ordinates." "You're gonna bring the princess back." "And as for Z..." "Kill him." "But you said he didn't matter." "It's for the good of the colony." "You made the right decision." "Gentlemen, now you can see... how dangerous individualism can be." "It makes us... vulnerable." "Let's go." "Take him back to the MegaTunnel." "Put him on the front line." "Dismissed." "Jeez, what was I thinking?" "I almost got you killed." "Z, you know, you really shouldn't be so hard on..." "That's it." "I'm taking you back to the colony." " Uhh!" "0w!" "0h." " Uhh!" "Insectopia." "You know, I must've been crazy." " Z?" " But you know what?" " I admit it when I'm wrong." " Z." "And this time, I gotta tell ya, I was absolutely, 100%... correct." "Have... have you ever seen anything more beautiful in your life?" " It's..." "Insect..." " Shh!" "Don't jinx it." "Come on!" "I can see clearly now the rain is gone" "I can see all obstacles in my way" "Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind" " Pardon us." " It's gonna be a bright" "Bright sunshiny day" "It's gonna be a bright" "Bright sunshiny day" "Look all around nothing but blue skies" "Look straight ahead nothing but" "Blue skies" "Whoa" "I can see clearly now the rain is gone" "I can see all obstacles in my way" "All right, everybody." "I want all teams in place, fully prepared to seal the doors here and here." "'Make certain the digging crew stays on schedule... 'for breakthrough midway in the dedication ceremony." "'Now all we need is the princess.'" "Mm." " This stuff tastes like crap." " Really?" "Let me try some." "Hey, it is crap." "Not bad." " Somebody needs to feed that fire." " Dude, I did it last time." "I'm not gonna get it." "It's not my job." "What about the new guy?" "He hasn't contributed yet." "And..." "You know, he just died in my arms like that." "I..." "You know, I don't think he ever once in his life... made his own choice." "I never knew it was like that." "I mean, up in the palace..." "Well, I guess we just let the general make all the decisions." "Let me ask you something." "What made you come to the bar that night?" "I guess I was looking for a little trouble." "Well, trouble's my middle name." "Actually, my middle name is Marion, but... don't spread that around." "You're pretty strange." "You do know that?" "Well..." "Strange isn't the word I would use." "I like it." "You're not like anyone else." "Actually, now that you mention it, there is a certain strangeness to me." "I mean, it's, you know, kind of a bizarre quality." "Some said "freak"." "But it's, uh, you know, complimentary." "Hey, new guy!" "We need more wood." "I'll be right back." "Just hold that thought... whatever it is you were thinking." "Hey, you ever wonder why they call you guys "pests"?" "What if, like, we're just these tiny things... and we're just, like, part of this whole other huge universe... that's, like, so big we don't even know it exists?" "Man, that is so deep." "Perfect." "Nothing like manual labour... on the most romantic night of my life." "Hi." "I was in the neighbourhood and I thought I'd drop in." "This is, uh, very bohemian." "Aloha, dude." "Welcome to Insec..." "Sorry for interrupting." "You see, our princess has, uh, gone missing, and we're just sick about it." "She's about yea tall, fairly easy on the eyes." " Anybody seen her?" " There she is." "Don't worry, Princess, you'll be back home soon." "Listen, Cutter, I'm..." "I'm not going back." "The thing is, Princess, I got orders." "Orders?" "Can't you just once think for yourself?" "Well, that was very impressive." "Where's Z?" " Z?" "He's, uh..." " Dead." "Z's dead." "You don't need to worry about him." "Z's dead." "Well, he was an ant with ideas." "Too bad for him." "Princess, your colony needs you." "Cutter!" " Stop right now!" "Let go of me!" " Bala!" "Stop, you... 0h, no." "What am I gonna do?" "All right, look." "Let's be rational about this." "You know, Bala and I, she's a princess... and I'm a..." "I'm a soil-relocation engineer." "So..." "You know..." "0n the other hand, uh..." "I've gotta go back for her." "I'll... give you a lift." "Sss..." "Whoa!" "Oh!" "It's the least I can do." "Besides... it's what my waddly-kiddles would want." "Uh, look, how about a cup of joe...?" " Well, old boy... saddle up." " I saw a puddle of coffee there." "It..." "Whoa!" "Look out!" "Ah, Princess." " You're just in time." " Take your hands off me!" "General, what is going on here?" " I DEMAND an explanation." " I'll explain... afterwards." " Is the south-east entrance secure?" " Yes, sir." "Not afterwards." "Now." "I don't like the way you think or the way you run this colony." "And I don't like you." "The wedding is off." " Things are going to change here." " You're right, Princess." "Things are going to change." "Make her more comfortable." "She'll be here for a while." "What do you think you're doing?" "My mother will have your head." "I doubt that." "Ah, you've got a fighter spirit, Bala." "Just what we need to start our new colony." "We'll rinse away the filth from our gutters." "We'll start anew, with you by my side as my queen." "You're crazy." "I believe history will see things differently." "All right, gentlemen." "Take your positions." "Someday... someday you'll thank me." "Pull up!" "Pull up!" "Aah!" "There it is!" "0of!" "0h!" "Well, then, go get the woman you love, Z." "So long, Chip." "And thanks." "You there." "Where do you think you're goin'?" "Me?" "0h, no, I was just..." "You know, I..." "You're not supposed to be here." "Workers are to report to the tunnel-opening ceremonies." "Yes, yes, of course." "Well, I should get going, then." "I..." "You know, the-the..." "Hey!" " I'm going to the... the t-tunnel..." " Get moving." " Better get going." "I'm going to the tunnel-opening ceremonies..." "Excuse me, please." "Tunnel-opening ceremonies." " Hey!" " Opening the tunnel." "They need me." " I'm the key man." " Where are you going?" "Tunnel-opening ceremonies." "Hey!" "Let me outta here!" "Hey!" "Gosh, this-this day just keeps getting better and better." "Are you listening to me out there?" "I'm the princess!" "Damn it!" " Wow, your manners haven't improved." " Z!" "Whoa!" "Whoa!" " 0oh!" " It's you." "You came back for me." "Well, yeah, I came back for you." "I have strong feelings for you." "Let's face it, you're... you're..." "you're beautiful..." "A little combative at times, but I think we can work on that." "You talk too much." "Gee, I think I'm about to become the strong, silent type." "Come on." "The city's deserted." "We'd better get outta here." "Z..." "We can't go." "Mandible's insane." "He... he keeps talking about... washing away the filth and-and changing history and... and I think he's going to try to kill my mother." "Not just your mother... everyone." " What's going on?" " Look." "Here we are, safe in the city." "But they're gonna seal everybody off in the MegaTunnel." "And... here's the lake." "You're right." "We can't leave now." "Come on." "We gotta get down there." "Today is the realisation of a dream." "A dream of a proud colony." "A pure colony." "A colony reborn." "Moments from now this tunnel will open." "The past will be washed away and a new day will dawn." "A stirring speech, General." "I wish my daughter were here to appreciate it." "Your Majesty, I know how concerned you are about Bala." "But my scouts are on her trail and..." "I don't want to discuss it." "Just find her." "I will, Your Highness." "Goodbye." "Seal up the doors." " Cutter, did you hear me?" " Sir, I've been thinking." "Do we need to do this?" "Look at what these workers have done." "They got the right stuff." "Isn't there any other way?" "Cutter, you're a fine officer." "You have discipline, courage, ability." "But you seem to have a weakness for the lower orders I find disturbing." " Now, are you with me?" " Sir, uh..." "I apologise." " All right, then." "Seal it up." " Yes, sir." "As I look out on this magnificent tunnel," "I am filled with pride." " Jump!" " In these difficult times, it is a great solace to know that you, our workers..." "Mom!" "Wait!" "Every worker in the colony is here." "Hey, that guy owes me money." "This tremendous accomplishment is a testimony to..." "Go warn your mother." "I've gotta get to those diggers." " There's not enough time." " Leave the pessimism to me, 0K?" "0w!" " 0oh!" " Yeeow!" "Excuse me!" "Sorry." "Excuse me." "When our expert diggers break through to the surface..." " Mom!" "Stop!" " The sun will pour in..." "Bala!" "Where've you been?" "Are you all right?" " I'm fine." " What happened?" "Mother, we're in terrible danger." "Put your backs into it, people!" "Wait!" "Hold..." "Hey, stop digging!" " Z?" "Is that you?" " We must stop!" "Z!" "You're back!" " 0h, Z!" "0h." " Weaver!" "Z!" "What's the matter?" "H-hold up, everyone." "Stop!" "Stop digging." " 0n whose authority?" " Your own authority." "If you break through, we'll..." "Drown." "This tunnel is going to flood." "We've got to get everyone out." "Look, I got orders, and those orders say "dig"." "What if someone ordered you to jump off a bridge?" "0h, I'm asking the wrong guy here." "Look, think for yourselves!" "Gimme that!" "I've had enough out of you." "Get back to work." "What's that noise?" "Uh-oh." " Let's get outta here!" " Run!" "Run!" "Keep going!" "Everyone, listen to me." "We've all been deceived." "We need to calmly head toward the exits." " Run for your lives!" "Flood!" " No." "Don't panic." " Don't panic!" " Every ant for himself!" "All the exits are blocked!" " What do we do?" " There's nothing we can do!" "Yes, there is." "Weaver, give me a leg up." "Everyone, listen to me!" " Who the heck are you?" " He's Z!" "Listen, we gotta help each other get out before we all drown." " How?" " By making a ladder." "A ladder!" "Hey, if we built this, we can do anything." " 0K, let's move it!" " All of you, gather round." "You, start climbing." " Grab my arm." " All right." "Here I go." " Go, go, go!" " Right!" "Excuse me, Your Majesty." "Z, I've gotta help my Mom." "Don't worry." "I know almost exactly what I'm doing." "I'll see you at the top." "Gentlemen, there comes a time... in the evolution of a colony... when the strong are meant to rise above the weak." "Now is that time." "'Below us right now, 'the weak elements of the colony... 'are being washed away.'" "0h, God, we're not gonna make it." " We need more ants." " You two better get up there." "Weaver, you can't hold it alone." "Get going." "Hang in there, buddy." " Got it!" " Hurry up!" "Go, go, go, go!" "Our princess is secure, and a glorious future is at hand." "We can all stand proud." "It is time for a new beginning." "What the hell is that?" "I think that's the weak element, sir." " Gimme... gimme a hand!" " Z!" "You?" "Let go!" "Don't you understand?" "It's for the good of the colony!" "Wha-what are you saying?" "We are the colony!" "Cutter... what are you doing?" "Something I should've done a long time ago." "This is for the good of the colony, sir." "You useless, ungrateful maggot!" "I am the colony!" " Look out!" " 0of!" "Z!" "Men, let's move it!" "Get these ants up here." " Keep it moving." " Thank goodness we made it." "Wait here." " Uhh!" "0K." " Thank you." "Weaver." "Where's Z?" "0h, no." "Back up, everybody, back up!" " Give him some air." "Back up." " Z, oh, Z." "Please wake up." "0h, no..." "Huh?" "!" "Yowch!" "You know, Weaver, you still owe me that dinner." "Babylove." " We made it, Z!" " You da ant!" " Eh!" " You did it." "We did it." " 0h!" " Fellas!" "Fellas, please!" "This is very embarrassing!" "0n the other hand, I probably could get used to this." "There you have it, your average "boy meets girl," ""boy likes girl, boy changes underlying social order" story." "So what else can I tell you?" "We rebuilt the colony." "It's even better than before cos now it has a large indoor swimming pool." "Bala and I are thinking of starting a family." "You know, just a few kids..." "maybe a million to begin with." "I'm workin' with a new therapist, you know, absolutely terrific." "He's putting me in touch with my inner maggot, which is helping me." "And I finally feel like I've found my place." "And you know what?" "It's right back where I started." "But the difference is, this time I chose it." "Just what makes that little old ant" "Think he'll move that rubber tree plant" "Anyone knows an ant can't move a rubber tree plant" "But he's got high hopes" "He's got high hopes" "He's got high apple pie in the sky hopes" "So anytime you're gettin' low" "'Stead of letting' go just remember that ant 0ops, there goes another rubber tree plant" "There goes another rubber tree plant 0ops, there goes another rubber tree plant" "Once there was a silly old ram" "Thought he'd punch a hole in a dam" "No one could make that ram scram" "He kept butting' that dam" "Cos he had high hopes" "He had high hopes" "He had high apple pie in the sky hopes" "So anytime you're feelin' bad 'stead of feelin' sad" "Just remember that ram 0ops, there goes a billion-kilowatt dam" "0ops, there goes a billion-kilowatt dam 0ops, there goes a billion-kilowatt dam" "So keep your high hopes" "Keep your high hopes" "Keep those high apple pie in the sky hopes" "A problem's just a toy balloon" "They'll be bursting soon they're just bound to go pop 0ops, there goes another problem Ker-plop" "0ops, there goes another problem Ker-plop 0ops, there goes another problem Ker-plop" "Ker-plop"