"Holy mackerel!" "Call headquarters." "Get the lieutenant." "Holy Christmas!" "That thing's doing about 4,000!" "But that's incredible, sir." "That can't be aircraft." "Must be a buzz bomb." "This is Luckton at Ferris to Charlie Baker." "I have a bogey at 200,000 feet." "4,000 miles an hour." "Reports are coming in from all over the Empire, all over the world." "The government has not yet issued a statement, but there is no question that there actually is a large, unidentified object circling the Earth at incredible speed." "This is Elmer Davis again." "We still don't know what it is or where it comes from, but there's something there." "It's been tracked around the Earth by radar, travelling at a rate of 4,000 miles an hour." "This is not another "flying saucer" scare." "Scientists and military men are already agreed on that." "Whatever it is, it's something real." "We interrupt this programme to give you a bulletin from a naval unit at sea." "An object travelling at supersonic speed is headed towards the East Coast of the States." "This is HV Kaltenborn speaking." "Here in the nation's capital there is anxiety and concern, but no outward sign of panic." "As a matter of fact, there are signs of normalcy - the beautiful spring weather, the tourist crowds around the public monuments and other buildings." "They're here!" "They've landed!" "Over on the Mall!" "They've landed!" " Get me the Chief of Staff." " Thank you." "Hold the line, please." "Hello." "I want to speak to the president." "I'm sorry, but you'll have to interrupt him." "Good afternoon." "This is Drew Pearson." "We bring you this special broadcast in order to give you the very latest information on an amazing phenomenon:" "The arrival of a spaceship in Washington." "Government and Defense Department officials are concerned by reports of panic in several large eastern cities." "I am authorised to assure you that, so far, there is no reasonable cause for alarm." "The rumours of invading armies and mass destruction are based on hysteria and are absolutely false." "I repeat, these rumours are absolutely false." "The ship, designed for travel outside the Earth's atmosphere, landed in Washington today at 3.47pm Eastern Standard Time." "We still do not know where it came from." "The ship is now resting exactly where it landed two hours ago, and so far there is no sign of life from inside it." "Troops have been rushed across the Potomac River from Fort Myer and have thrown a cordon around the ship." "They are supported by tanks, artillery and machine guns." "Behind the police lines there's a huge crowd of curiosity seekers." "The army has taken every precaution to meet any emergency which may develop." "Every eye, every weapon is trained on the ship." "It's been that way for two hours, and the tension is just beginning..." "Just a minute, ladies and gentlemen." "I think something is happening." "We have come to visit you in peace, and with goodwill." "Gort!" "Deglet ovrosco!" "It was a gift for your president." "With this, he could have studied life on the other planets." "Get that ambulance over here." "Take him to Walter Reed Hospital right away." "Mr Harley, sir, from the White House." " General." " Right in there, Mr Harley." "My name is Harley, secretary to the president." "I've been told you speak our language, and that your name is Mr..." "Klaatu?" "Just Klaatu." "The president conveys his deepest apologies for what happened." "Sit down, Mr Harley." "Thank you." "I'm sure I need hardly point out that your arrival was something of a surprise." "Had you been travelling long?" "About five months." "Your months." "You must have come a long way." "About 250 million of your miles." "Naturally, we are very curious to know where you come from." "From another planet." "Let's just say that we're neighbours." "It's hard for us to think of a planet as a neighbour." "In the present situation you'll have to learn to think that way." " The present situation?" " I mean the reason for my coming here." "We're very curious about that, too." " Would you care to talk about it?" " I'd be glad to." "Not now, of course, with you alone." "You'd rather talk personally with the president?" "This is not a personal matter, Mr Harley." "It concerns all the people on your planet." "I..." "I'm not sure I understand." "I want to meet with representatives from all the nations of the Earth." "I'm afraid that would be a little awkward." "It's completely without precedent." "And there are practical considerations - the time involved, the enormous distances." "I travelled 250 million miles." "I appreciate that, but..." "I want to be frank with you, Mr..." "I mean Klaatu." "Our world at the moment is full of tensions and suspicions." "In the present international situation, such a meeting would be quite impossible." "What about your United Nations?" "You know about the United Nations?" "We've been monitoring your radio broadcasts for a good many years." "That's how we learned your languages." "I'm sure you recognise from our broadcasts the evil forces that have produced the trouble in our world." "Surely..." "I'm not concerned with the internal affairs of your planet." "My mission here is not to solve your petty squabbles." "It concerns the existence of every last creature on Earth." "Perhaps if you could explain a little..." "I intend to explain." "To all the nations, at the same time." "How do we proceed, Mr Harley?" "Well, we could call a special meeting of the General Assembly." "But the UN doesn't represent all the nations." "Then I suggest a meeting of all the chiefs of state." "Believe me, you don't understand." "They wouldn't sit down to the same table." "I don't want to resort to threats, Mr Harley." "I merely tell you that the future of your planet is at stake." "I urge that you transmit that message to the nations of the Earth." "I will make that recommendation to the president." "But I must tell you in all honesty, I'm extremely dubious about the results." "Apparently I'm not as cynical about Earth's people as you are." "I have been dealing in Earth's politics a good deal longer than you have." "Good night, sir." "It is now 2am, and the giant robot still hasn't moved." "Engineers from nearby Fort Belvoir have failed to budge him, and metallurgical experts have found his huge body impregnable." "They're now concentrating on the ship itself, so far with no results." "Getting anyplace, Sergeant?" "Oh, no, sir." "This beats me, sir." "I saw the ramp come through the side of the ship right here." "Now I can't even find a crack." "Oh, Carlson." "What's the report?" "No luck, sir." "We've tried everything from a blowtorch to a diamond drill." " What about him?" " He's made out of the same stuff." " Has he moved, Sergeant?" " No, sir." "Not an inch." "This is the toughest material I ever saw, General." "For hardness and strength, it's out of this world." "I can tell you officially that's where it came from!" "The skeletal structure's completely normal." "The tests show the same for major organs - the heart, liver, spleen, kidneys." "Yeah, and the lungs are the same as ours." "That must mean a similar atmosphere, similar pressure." " How old do you think he is?" " Oh, I'd say 35, 38." "He told me this morning while I was examining him." "He's 78." " Well, I don't believe it." " Life expectancy is 130." "How does he explain that?" "Says their medicine's much more advanced." "He was very nice about it, but he made me feel like a third-class witch doctor." "I removed a bullet from that man's arm yesterday." "Well, what about it?" "I just examined the wound, and it's healed." "What does he say about it?" "Said he put salve on it, stuff he had on him." " What are you gonna do with it?" " Take it downstairs and have it analysed." "Then I don't know whether to just get drunk or give up the practice of medicine." " Afternoon, Mr Harley." " Good afternoon, gentlemen." "Good afternoon." "I'm glad to see you up and around." " Thank you." "Have you any news?" " Not very good news, I'm afraid." "The president accepted your suggestion, and cabled the invitations for a meeting." "Let me read you some of the replies." ""The premier wishes to inform the US Government"" "it will be impossible for him to attend the meeting suggested by the president," ""unless the meeting is held in Moscow."" ""The suggestion of the president of the possibility of a meeting in Moscow would be unacceptable to His Majesty's Government at present."" ""Representation could be sent only if the meeting were held in Washington."" "Well, there you have it." "Now you understand more clearly, perhaps you'd like to discuss it with the president." "I will not speak with any one nation or group of nations." "I don't intend to add my contribution to your childish jealousies." "Our problems are very complex, Klaatu." " You mustn'tjudge us too harshly." " I can judge only by what I see." " Your impatience is quite understandable." " I'm impatient with stupidity." "My people have learned to live without it." "I'm afraid my people haven't." "I am very sorry." "I wish it were otherwise." "Before making any decisions, I think I should get out among your people, and become familiar with the basis for these strange, unreasoning attitudes." "Under the circumstances, I'm afraid that's impossible." "I must ask that you don't try to leave the hospital." "Our military people have insisted on this." "I'm sure you understand." " The man from the spaceship got away!" " What?" "Get every available man." "Hospital authorities refuse to comment on how he managed to escape..." "The descriptions of the creature are denounced as rumour by the police chief." "He's not eight feet tall, as reported, nor does he have tentacles..." "There's no denying a monster is at large, and we are dealing with forces beyond our knowledge and power." "The public is advised to take ordinary precautions and to remain calm as we await..." "Officials have concluded that this ship comes from some other planet." "Thus far, scientists have refused to speak officially on just which planet, until they've had an opportunity to study the ship." "They seem to agree, however, that either Venus or Mars is the most likely possibility." "Not only are these the closest planets to Earth, but all research to date indicates they are the only two planets capable of sustaining life as we know it." "However, all reputable scientists warn againstjumping to hasty conclusions." "Professor Havemeyer of MIT, for example, points out it's possible, in light of our meagre knowledge." "The president has urged all citizens to be on the alert for any information about this man, and to transmit such information immediately to the police, the army or the FBI." "While the president made no effort to minimise the crisis, he urged people all over the country to remain calm." "And I might add, that though this man may be our bitter enemy, he could be also a new-found friend." " Unfortunately, the only photos we have..." " Mom, do you think I could...?" " Hey, who's that?" " .." "Do not show the man's face." "The president said the entire facilities of the FBI and every other federal agency are being brought to bear." "He pointed out, however, that this is no ordinary manhunt." "He warned "We may be up against powers that are beyond our control..."" " What is it you want?" " My name is Carpenter." "I need a room." " Oh, I see." " Are you an FBI man?" "No, I'm afraid not." "I'll bet he is." "He's looking for the spaceman." "We've all been hearing too much about spacemen." " This is Mrs Benson, Mr Carpenter." " How do you do?" "And little Bobby." " Mr and Mrs Barley." "And Mr Krull." " How do you do?" "And I'm Mrs Crockett." "I have a very nice room on the second floor." "It gets the sun all day long." "Can I help you look for the spaceman?" "I know what he looks like." "He's got a big square head with three eyes." "That's enough, Bobby." "It's late." "Excuse me." "We mustn't annoy Mr Carpenter, or he won't want to stay here." "He's really a dear little boy, and quiet as a mouse." " You're a long way from home, aren't you?" " How did you know?" "Oh." "I can tell a New England accent a mile away." "Now we take you to Miami Beach, Florida, for a report from Gabriel Heatter." "Mr Heatter?" "And now on this Sunday morning we ask some questions that have been haunting the entire nation for two whole days." "Where is he?" "What is he up to?" "If he can build a spaceship that can fly to Earth, and a robot that can destroy our tanks and guns, what other terrors can he unleash at will?" "Obviously, the monster must be found." "He must be tracked down like a wild animal." "He must be destroyed." "But where would such a creature hide?" "Would he disappear into the north woods?" "Would he crawl into the sewers of some great city?" "Everybody agrees there is grave danger." "What can we do to protect ourselves?" "What measures can we take to neutralise this menace from another world?" "Destroy it?" "Of course, but how?" "And if we do destroy it, what do we face in retaliation?" " It's not a simple problem..." " George, turn it off." "I'm trying to concentrate." "Why doesn't the government do something?" "What can they do?" "They're only people, like us." "People, my foot!" "They're Democrats." "It gives you the shakes." "He's got that robot standing there, just waiting for orders to destroy us." "This spaceman, or whatever he is." "We automatically assume he's a menace." " Maybe he isn't at all." " Then what's he hiding for?" " Why doesn't he come out in the open?" " Like Heatter says, "What's he up to?"" " Maybe he's afraid." " He's afraid!" "Well, after all, he was shot the minute he landed here." " I was just wondering what I would do." " Perhaps before deciding on any action, you'd want to know more about the people, to orient yourself in a strange environment." "There's nothing strange about Washington." "A person from another planet may disagree." "If you want my opinion, he comes from right here on Earth." "And you know where I mean." "They wouldn't come in a spaceship." "Only planes." "I wouldn't be too sure about that." "That fellow wants something, otherwise he wouldn't be here." "That right, Mr Carpenter?" "I'm a little confused." "Oh, Mrs Benson, Mr Stevens is here to see you." "Oh, thank you." "Excuse me." "George, finish your coffee." "I promised the Carsons I'd be there at 11." " Good morning." " Good morning." "We're set." "I put gas in the car and the radio's broken, so we can forget about the spaceman." "There's one thing." "I haven't anyone to stay with Bobby." "I don't suppose we could take him with us?" "Well..." "Well, we could." "There's always someone here, but today they've all got plans." "I haven't any plans." "I'd be happy to spend the day with him, if you'd let me." "Say, that would be great." "Wouldn't it?" "It's awfully nice of you to suggest it." " Sorry." "Mr Carpenter, this is Tom Stevens." " How do you do, Mr Carpenter?" "Hello." "Bobby and I had a fine time yesterday afternoon." "We talked and listened to the radio." "I thought today he might like to show me around the city." "Well..." "Suppose I ask Bobby how he feels about it?" "Fine." " You think it's all right?" " Sure." "That's my father." "He was killed at Anzio." "Did all those people die in wars?" "Most of 'em." "Didn't you ever hear of the Arlington Cemetery?" "No, I'm afraid not." "You don't seem to know much of anything." "Well, I'll tell you, Bobby, I've been away a long time." "Very far away." "Is it different where you've been?" "Don't they have places like this?" "They have cemeteries, but not like this one." "You see, they don't have any wars." "Gee, that's a good idea." " What would you like to do?" " Go to the movies." " All right." " No fooling?" "No fooling." "Bobby, tell me, do you have to have money to go there?" " I've got two dollars." "Mom gave it to me." " No." "I want to take you to the movie." "Do you think they'd accept these?" "Gee, they look like diamonds!" "In some places, those are what people use for money." "They're easier to carry and don't wear out." "I'll bet they're worth a million dollars." "Would you give me your $2 for two of these?" "Well..." "Sure." "OK." "Let's not say anything to Mom about this, though." " Why not, Bobby?" " She doesn't like me to steal from people." "Those are great words." " He must have been a great man." " Well, sure." "That's the kind of man I'd like to talk to." "Bobby, who's the greatest man in America today?" "I don't know." "The spaceman, I guess." "No, I was speaking of earthmen." "I meant the greatest philosopher or thinker." " You mean the smartest man in the world?" " Yes, that would do nicely." "Professor Barnhardt, I guess." "He's the greatest scientist." " He lives here in Washington, doesn't he?" " Near where Mom works." " Where's that?" " Department of Commerce." "She's a secretary." "That man they call the secretary isn't at all." "My mom's a real secretary." "Mr Carpenter, now can we go see the spaceship?" "If you like." "I'll bet that iron guy's strong and could knock down a whole building." "I shouldn't be at all surprised." "I'd like to get inside that ship, see how it works." "What do you think makes it go?" "A highly developed form of atomic power, I should imagine." "I thought that was only for bombs." "No." "No, it's for lots of other things, too." "Do you think it can go faster than the F-86?" "Yes, I should think so." " About 1,000 miles an hour?" " Maybe 4,000 miles an hour." "And outside the Earth's atmosphere, a good deal faster." "How could they make a landing?" "There are several ways to reduce landing speed." "You see, the basic problem is to overcome the inertia..." "Keep going, mister." "He was fallin' for it!" "Thank you, Mrs Robinson." "I'm sure we've all shared your fears during the past few days." "I see a gentleman here with his little boy." "What do you think of the spaceship, son?" "It's the biggest spaceship I ever saw." " And you, sir." "Mind telling us your name?" " My name is Carpenter." "Care to say a few words?" "I suppose you're just as scared as the rest of us." "In a different way, perhaps." "I am fearful when I see people substituting fear for reason." "In fact, I would..." "Uh, thank you, Mr Carpenter." "Thank you very much." "I see another gentleman in the crowd..." "Extra!" "Extra!" "Spaceman eludes police!" "Army put in charge." "Read all about it!" "Spaceman eludes police!" "Extra!" "Extra!" "Get your paper here." "Army put in charge." "Extra!" "Extra!" "Read all about it!" "You think they'll ever find him?" "I don't know, Bobby." "I'm inclined to doubt it." "Mr Carpenter, what is inertia?" "The property of matter by which it remains in uniform motion unless acted upon by external force." "Oh." "I'll bet that's just the way Professor Barnhardt talks." "Bobby, I have an idea." "Let's go and find out how Barnhardt talks." "You're kidding!" " Wouldn't you like to meet him?" " Sure I would, but I bet you'd be scared." "Maybe we can scare him more than he can scare us." "I like you, Mr Carpenter." "You're a real screwball." "Extra!" "Extra!" "Spaceman still at large." "Extra!" "Read all about it." "Get your paper here." "Maybe he isn't home." "Gee, I'll bet you this is where he works." "What's that stuff on the blackboard mean?" "It's a problem in celestial mechanics." "I'll bet he's the only one that knows the answer." "He doesn't know the answer." "And he'll never get it that way." "We probably couldn't get to see him even if he was home." "Hey, where are you going?" "If he's that difficult to see, perhaps we ought to leave a calling card." "Did he do it wrong?" "He just needs a little help." "What are you doing in here?" "How dare you write on that blackboard!" "Do you realise the professor's worked on that problem for weeks?" "He'll solve it in no time now." " How did you get in?" "What do you want?" " To see Professor Barnhardt." "Well, he's not here." "And he won't be back till this evening." "I think you'd better leave now." "Would you give this to the professor?" "I think he'll want to talk to me." "I wouldn't erase that." "The professor needs it very badly." " Mr Carpenter come home yet?" " Yeah, he's inside." " Tell him I'd like to see him." " OK." "Come on in." " Your name Carpenter?" " Yes." " Professor Barnhardt been looking for me?" " I've been looking for you all afternoon." "Thank you." " It was a wonderful day." " You still haven't answered my question." "You know how I feel, Tom, but I just want to think it over." "Boss goes to Chicago tomorrow." "If I could tell him I was marrying and had dependants..." "You're a good salesman, but I've got to think about it." "A good insurance salesman wouldn't give you time to think about it." " Good night." " Night." " Hiya, Mom." " Hello, darling." " Good evening, Mr Carpenter." " Good evening." " Uh, Mrs Benson, this is Mr Brady." " How do you do?" "Mr Brady's a government agent!" " Have a nice day, dear?" " We had a swell time, didn't we?" "Yes." "We went to the movies and had ice-cream cones, and then we went to see Daddy." " I don't know how to thank you." " I enjoyed every minute of it." "We better get going, Mr Carpenter." "Aw, gee, you didn't finish your story." "I'll finish it tomorrow." "Good night, Bobby." " Good night." " Good night." "Come on, dear." "Time to go to bed." "Why did Mr Carpenter have to go with Mr Brady?" "I don't know." "Maybe it was a mistake." "Oh." "We sure had fun today." "We saw the spaceship and we went to see Professor Earnhardt." " Professor Earnhardt'?" " Yeah, sure." "Mom, do I have to go to school tomorrow?" "Yes, of course, dear." "Gee." "I was hoping I could go out with Mr Carpenter again." "Oh, come in." "The professor's in his study." "Thank you." "This is the man you wanted to see, Professor." " Thank you, Captain." " I'll wait outside." " You wrote this?" " It was a clumsy way to introduce myself." "But I understand you're a difficult man to see." " I thought you'd have the solution by now." " Not yet." "That's why I wanted to see you." "All you have to do now is to substitute this expression at this point." "That will reproduce the first-order term." "But what about the effect of the other terms?" "Almost negligible." "With variation of parameters, this is the answer." "How can you be so sure?" "Have you tested this theory?" "I find it works well enough to get me from one planet to another." "I am Klaatu." "I spent two days at your Walter Reed Hospital, room 309." "My doctor's name was Major White." "If you're not interested or if you intend to turn me over to your army, we needn't waste any more time." "You may go now, Captain." "Please thank General Cutler, and tell him..." "tell him that I know this gentleman." "You have faith." "It isn't faith that makes good science, Mr Klaatu." "It's curiosity." "Sit down, please." "There are several thousand questions I'd like to ask you." "I'd like to explain something of my mission." "That was my first question." "We know from observation that your planet has discovered a rudimentary atomic energy." "And that you're experimenting with rockets." "Yes, that is true." "While you were limited to fighting among yourselves with primitive tanks and aircraft," "WE WGTG UHCOHCETHEQ ." "But soon one of your nations will apply atomic energy to spaceships." "That will create a threat to the peace and security of other planets." "That, of course, we cannot tolerate." "What exactly is the nature of your mission, Mr Klaatu?" "I came here to warn you that by threatening danger, your planet faces danger, very grave danger." "I'm prepared, however, to offer a solution." "Would you care to be more specific?" "What I have to say must be said to all concerned." "It is too important to be entrusted to any individual." "I gather that your efforts on the official level were not successful." "I come to you as a last resort, and I confess my patience is wearing thin." "Must I take drastic action to get a hearing?" "What... what sort of action do you mean?" "Violent action, since that seems to be the only thing your people understand." "Levelling New York City perhaps, or sinking the Rock of Gibraltar." "Would you meet with the group of scientists I'm calling together?" "You could explain your mission to them and they, in turn, could present it to their peoples." "That's why I came to see you." "It is not enough to have men of science." "We scientists are too often ignored or misunderstood." "We must get leaders from every field - the finest minds in the world." "I leave that in your hands." "One thing, Mr Klaatu." "Suppose this group should reject your proposals." "What is the alternative?" "I'm afraid there is no alternative." "In such a case, the planet Earth would have to be... eliminated." "Such power exists?" "I assure you, such power exists." "The people who come to the meeting must be made to realise this." "They must understand what is at stake." " You mentioned a demonstration of force." " Yes." "Would one be possible before the meeting?" "Yes, of course." "Something to dramatise for them and their people the seriousness of the situation." " Something to affect the entire planet." " That can easily be arranged." "I wouldn't want you to harm anybody or destroy anything." "Leave it to me." "I'll think of something." "Maybe a little demonstration." "Something dramatic, but not destructive." "That's quite an interesting problem." "Would the day after tomorrow be all right, say about noon?" "There are no further developments, but police and the FBI are tracing every possible clue and rounding up all suspects..." " Rummy!" " Uh, my." "Did it again!" " Take a hand, Mr Carpenter?" " Take a...?" "Oh." "No, thanks." "We don't..." "No, thanks." " Are you going out, dear?" " Yes." "Tom's picking me up." "Personally, I wouldn't go out after dark these days." "But then I'm not courting, am I?" "Oh!" "Oh, Mr Carpenter." "Everyone seems so..." ""Jittery" is the word." "Bobby's the only person I know who isn't... jittery." "He has his homework to keep him occupied." " He's a fine boy, Mrs Benson." " Naturally, I think so." "Warm, friendly, intelligent." "Mr Carpenter..." "This is none of my business, but why did that man come here last night?" "They just wanted to ask me a few questions." "Bobby and I tried to see Professor Barnhardt in the afternoon." "He wasn't in." "Apparently they thought I was looking for secrets of some kind." "Excuse me." " Hello." " Hello." "Are you ready?" " In a minute." " The picture starts at 8.50." " I was with Mr Carpenter." " I hope he won't think I'm intruding." " Sh!" " What..." "Good evening." "Excuse me, I was just going up to my room." " Good night, Mr Carpenter." " Have a good time, both of you." "Thank you." "Why don't you wait in here while I get my things?" "Tom, that was awful." "I'm just tired of hearing" " about Mr Carpenter." " Tom!" "I don't like how he's attached himself to you and Bobby." "What do you know about him?" "I'll go get my things." "All you have to remember is first find the common denominator, and then divide." "Thanks, Mr Carpenter." " I'll say good night again." " Mr Carpenter..." "L." " Good night." " Good night, Mrs Benson." "Bed now." "You can finish that in the morning." "OK." "Bobby." "I think it would be better if we didn't see quite so much of Mr Carpenter." "Gee, why, Mom?" "He's my best friend, and he's awful good in arithmetic." "He even helps Professor Barnhardt." "Did you really go to see Professor Barnhardt?" "Sure we did." "He wasn't there, but we went to see him." "And Mr Carpenter showed him how to do his arithmetic." "Mom, is something wrong with Mr Carpenter?" " What do you mean, dear?" " On account of last night." "You think he's a bank robber, or a gangster maybe?" "No, dear, of course not." "He's a very nice man." "I just think that he might prefer to be left alone, that's all." "Now you go to bed and forget about it." " Good night, darling." " Good night." "Mom?" "Why would he wanna be left alone?" "Don't forget to brush your teeth." " Bobby, have you a flashlight?" " Yeah." " It's a real Boy Scout one." " Fine." " Here." "All you gotta do is push up on it." " Oh." "What do you need it for?" "I've, uh..." "The light in my room went out." "Oh." "I must tell you sometime about a kind of train that doesn't need any tracks." " Really?" " Really." " Remind me in the morning to tell you." " OK." "No tracks." "Gort!" "Baringa!" "Come in for a minute." " Bobby, what are you doing up?" " I couldn't sleep." "I had to tell you." " Tell me what?" " After you left, I followed Mr Carpenter, and where do you think he went?" "Right into the spaceship!" " Now, Bobby, wait a minute." " Honest, Mom." "I saw him." "It opened up and he walked in." "That big iron fella was walking around, too." " Bobby, you've been dreaming again." " No, I haven't, Mom." "Honest." "I promise you, I saw him!" " Where'd you see all this?" " On the lawn down at the Mall." "In that place with the soldiers out in front." "Where were the soldiers?" "That big iron guy grabbed 'em and knocked 'em out." "I like Mr Carpenter, Mom, but I'm kinda scared." "Don't be frightened." "It was only a bad dream." "Here, we'll prove it to you." " Tom, ask Mr Carpenter to come down." " Sure." " He's in the room next to mine." " OK." "Think back." "You didn't follow Mr Carpenter at all, did you?" "You haven't even been outside." " Yes, I have!" " You didn't really see a spaceship," " but you thought you did." " I'd never call you a liar." "He's not there, but look what I found in his room." " Is it real?" " It looks real to me." "Mr Carpenter's got lots of diamonds." "He gave me a couple of 'em." " He gave these to you?" " Well, not exactly." "I gave him two dollars." "This doesn't make sense." "I think he's a crook." "I never did trust him." "Gee, you think he's a diamond smuggler?" " You're going to bed now." " I wonder if we..." "Bobby and I have had enough excitement for tonight." " Do you think it's all right to stay here?" " I've got a good lock on my door." "Bobby's gonna sleep in my room tonight." "Come on now, up to bed with you." "Bobby, your shoes are soaking!" "Yeah." "The grass was kinda wet." " I'm going now, Helen." " All right." " Hello." " May I see you for a minute?" " Well, I'm just going to lunch." " May I walk out with you?" "Well..." "Mrs Benson speaking." "Oh, hello." "I'm getting an appraisal on that diamond." "Can we lunch together?" "Can I talk to you later?" "Oh, that'll be fine." "Bye." "I saw Bobby this morning before he went to school." "Yes?" "I'd like to know what he told you last night." "I really didn't pay much attention." "Bobby has such an active imagination." "Did you believe what he told you?" "I have a reason for asking this." "A very important reason." "There's another elevator we can use." " What is it you want?" " Before I ask you to be honest with me, perhaps I should be completely honest with you." " What happened?" " What time is it?" "Just 12.00." "We shall be here for a little while." "About 30 minutes." " We can try pushing the other buttons." " They won't work." "Why not?" "You see, the electricity's been neutralised... all over the world." "Bobby was telling the truth, wasn't he?" "Yes." "It's that spaceman." "That's what it is." "You should see it!" "You should go out and see it for yourself!" "Thanks." "I am enjoying it right here." "The city has stopped." "People are running around like ants." "What a brilliant idea." "I never would have thought of it." "The people who are coming to the meeting tonight, have they arrived?" "Yes." "I talked to them on the phone." "They're all very curious about the meeting." "Good." "Did you speak to our friend Mr Carpenter?" "He'll be there at 8.30." "Tell me, Hilda, does all this frighten you?" "Does it make you feel insecure?" " Yes, sir." "It certainly does." " That's good, Hilda." "I'm glad." "As far as we can tell, power's been cut off everywhere, with a few exceptions." "And even these exceptions are remarkable - hospitals, planes in flight, that sort of thing." "I wish I could tell you more but, as you know, all communications are out- telephones, radio, cable, everything." "I can tell you the president is prepared to declare a state of national emergency." "Eleanor, did you call the electrician?" "I tried, but the phone doesn't work either." " Well, call the phone company." " But the phone doesn't work!" "Is it worth anything?" "I have never seen such a stone in all my life." " Will you tell me where it came from?" " That's what I want you to tell me." "But there are no diamonds like this anyplace in the world that I know of." " Are you sure of that?" " Uh, would you like to sell it?" "No." "No, thanks." " I'd give you a very good price." " Thank you, no." "I've told you more than I told Barnhardt because, in a sense, my life is in your hands." "I thought if you knew the facts, you'd see the importance of the meeting tonight." "Of course." "Of course I do." " You hold great hope for this meeting." " I can see no other hope for your planet." "If this meeting should fail, then I'm afraid there is no hope." "It must be 12.30." "Yes." "Just exactly." " Where are you going now?" " The boarding house." "I'll be safe there for today." "I can watch Bobby." "He's the only other person who knows..." " No, wait." "There's someone else." " Who?" "Tom." "He was there last night when Bobby told me what he saw." "Do you think he'd tell anyone?" "I think he'd talk to me first anyway, before..." "Well, we can't take any chance." "I'll get in touch with him right away to make sure." "But I've got to talk to him." "It's important." "When is he coming back?" "I don't know, Mrs Benson." "He left before noon, before that awful electric business." "I'm scared to death, Mrs Benson." "I..." "No, he wouldn't tell me where he was going." "He said it was something personal." "Well, please ask him to call me the minute he gets in." "Thanks." "Before we discuss plans, I want a report from Colonel Ryder." "What about the robot?" "When it was discovered that the robot had moved," "I was directed by the Joint Chiefs to find a means of immobilising him." "We accomplished that this morning by encasing him in a block of KL93, a new plastic material stronger than steel." " Isn't it possible he's broken out?" " No, sir." "We just checked on that." "He's locked up tight as a drum." "All right." "Now we concentrate on the man." "Up till now we've agreed upon the desirability of capturing this man alive." "We can no longer afford to be so particular." "We'll get him, alive if possible, but we must get him." " Is that clear?" " Yes, sir." "Honest, Mary, I'm so scared I can't sit still." "I'd like to run someplace, but I don't know where to go." "Bye now." "Margaret, call the Pentagon." "Find out who's in charge of this spaceman business." "Whoever it is, I wanna talk to him." "Mrs Benson called." "She says it's important." "Get this other call first." " Oh, Mrs Benson, he just walked in." " Fine." " Are you nervous, too?" " Yes, I am." "Helen, come on in." "I've been trying to get you all afternoon." "I have some terrific news about Mr Carpenter." " What about him?" " He's the spaceman." "I had that diamond checked at three places." "Nobody's ever seen a stone like that." "After what Bobby told us, that's enough for me." "Why is it nobody knows about him?" "Why hasn't he got money?" "All right, Tom, it's true." "I know it's true." " You..." "How do you know?" " Never mind about that." "Promise you won't say a word to anybody." "After what happened today?" " You don't realise how important this is." " Of course it's important." "And we can do something about it." "That's what I'm saying." "We must do nothing." "Believe me." "He's a menace." "It's our duty to turn him in." "But he isn't a menace." "He told me why he came here." "He told..." "He told you?" "Oh, don't be silly, honey, just because you like the guy." "You realise what this'd mean to us?" " I'd be the biggest man in the country." " Is that what you're thinking about?" "Somebody has to get rid of him." "I won't let you do it." " Yes?" " This is important..." "What's his name, Margaret?" "General Cutler." "Yes." "Oh, all right, I'll hold on." "You mustn't." "It isn't just you and Mr Carpenter." "The rest of the world is involved." "I don't care about the rest of the world." "You'll feel different when you see my picture in the papers." " I feel different now." " You wait." "You're gonna marry a big hero." " I'm not going to marry anybody." " Helen, I..." "Hello, General Cutler?" "No, I don't want to speak to his aide." "I want to speak to the general." "Tell him it's about the spaceman." "That's right." "That's where he's staying." " Yes, of course I'm sure." " Thank you, Mr Stevens." "I'll want to talk to you further, but I haven't time now." "Deploy all Zone Five units according to Plan B. Immediately!" " Hello, Mrs Benson." " Hello, Sammy." "Attention, all units." "Attention, all units." "When deployed according to Plan Baker, maintain station and remain on radio alert until further orders." "I'm sure Barnhardt can hide me until the meeting." " Where's the meeting going to be?" " At the ship." "Yeah, they got in a taxicab and went off down that street." "Thank you, son." "Attention, Zone Five." "Attention, Zone Five." "Yellow cab moving north on 14th Street from Harvard Street." "Man and woman in back seat." "Get license number and report." "That's the one!" "Right." "Attention, Zone Five." "Licence number of target vehicle is H0012." "Hey." "Looks like something big's going on." "Attention, Zone Five." "Report when target vehicle passes your position." " It's only a few blocks to Barnhardt's." " I'm worried about Gort." "I'm afraid of what he might do if anything should happen to me." "Gort?" "But he's a robot." "Without you, what could he do?" "There's no limit to what he could do." "He could destroy the Earth." "If anything should happen to me, you must go to Gort." "You must say these words:" "Klaatu barada nikto." "Please repeat that." "Klaatu... barada nikto." "You must remember those words." "Klaatu barada nikto." "Yellow cab, license number H0012, heading west on 15th Street at Treasury Place." "The target vehicle is turning west into Massachusetts Avenue." "Yellow cab at Columbia Road and Connecticut." "Repeat, Columbia Road and Connecticut." "Attention, all units, northwest area, Zone Five." "Block off all streets intersecting Connecticut Avenue on a line from Wisconsin to the park." "All vehicles close in." "Let's go." "Say, what's going on here?" "Drive..." "Get that message to Gort... right away." " Captain, hold these people back." " Yes, sir." "See if they have a stretcher at the police station." "Take him there." "Govt." "Klaatu barada nikto." "Klaatu barada nikto." "Yes, sir." "Yes, we have the body here now, locked in a cell." "There's no question about it, General." "He's dead all right." "I understand." "I'll be right there, sir." "Bring in a squad of men." "Place a guard around that cell." "Captain, don't let anyone in or out of here." "Yes, sir." "Come along." " Professor Earnhardt'?" " Yes." "I'm very sorry, but I have to ask you to call off this meeting." "Call it off?" "But I had permission from the army." "I know, sir, but the robot's on the loose, and it's not safe." "You have to get your people out." "Hello." "L." "I thought you were..." "I was." "You mean... he has the power of life and death?" "No." "That power is reserved to the Almighty Spirit." "This technique, in some cases, can restore life for a limited period." "But... how long?" "You mean, how long will I live?" "That, no one can tell." "Under the circumstances, the army people have asked us to leave." "And, since their concern is for our safety," "I can do nothing but suggest that we comply." "I am leaving soon, and you will forgive me if I speak bluntly." "The universe grows smaller every day, and the threat of aggression by any group anywhere can no longer be tolerated." "There must be security for all, or no one is secure." "This does not mean giving up any freedom, except the freedom to act irresponsibly." "Your ancestors knew this when they made laws to govern themselves, and hired policemen to enforce them." "We of the other planets have long accepted this principle." "We have an organisation for the mutual protection of all planets, and for the complete elimination of aggression." "The test of any such higher authority is, of course, the police force that supports it." "For our policemen, we created a race of robots." "Their function is to patrol the planets in spaceships like this one, and preserve the peace." "In matters of aggression we have given them absolute power over us." "This power cannot be revoked." "At the first sign of violence, they act automatically against the aggressor." "The penalty for provoking their action is too terrible to risk." "The result is, we live in peace, without arms or armies, secure in the knowledge that we are free from aggression and war, free to pursue more profitable enterprises." "We do not pretend to have achieved perfection, but we do have a system, and it works." "I came here to give you these facts." "It is no concern of ours how you run your own planet." "But if you threaten to extend your violence, this Earth of yours will be reduced to a burned-out cinder." "Your choice is simple." "Join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration." "We shall be waiting for your answer." "The decision rests with you." "Gort!" "Baringa."