"Liftoff!" "Go, man." "Go, man... go." "You're doing fine, Charlie... just fine." "That's it." "Just hang on up there, Charlie." "Keep up the good work." "Heart's still strong, pulse rather fast, respiration rapid... otherwise, normal." "Slowed up a bit mentally, general." "Probably a little swacked." "I wish I were." "Joe, give me an alert when the wire radar picks him up." "Yes, sir." "Gulou, this is mcchord." "Give me an e.T. On acquisition." "Thank you, major." "Congratulations, general, congratulations." "Thank you." "Mr. Secretary, this is a great day for your air force... a great day." "Where is he?" "Still on the moon?" "Not on the moon, senator..." "around the moon." "What's the difference?" "It's a space-race victory." "Not yet." "Orbiting the moon is one thing." "Getting him back alive is another." "Of course, of course." "But he's all right, isn't he?" "Sure." "He's a little bit hypoxied, that's all." "What?" "Stoned... drunk as a skunk." "Did he say "drunk"?" "He means "space drunk"... a combination of isolation, oxygen, and fear." "Haven't you read our booklet..." ""simple science for senators"?" "I didn't have time." "Besides, my kid said it was juvenile." "Hawaii has acquired him, sir." "Get me hickum." "Yes, sir." "Any time you're set, Joe." "W-why's everybody so nervous?" "Starfire just completed the third moon orbit." "Oh." "They're about to shoot him down." "Shoot him?" "Space jargon, senator." "I wish you fellas would be more careful with that kind of language." "Words like "drunk"..." "can't you see the headlines..." ""billion-dollar space bender"?" "And in an election year." "Ready, general." "Bring him in." "Start re-entry procedure." "Man:" "On my mark, it will be "t" minus five seconds." "Go." "What happened?" "Engine restart successful." "I'll tell the press." "He's not home yet..." "just rounding third, and home plate is a few hundred thousand Miles away." "Hickum, sir." "Vanneman speaking." "Charlie's on his way home." "Turn it over to the recovery group." "From here on in, it's up to them." "Good luck, Charlie." "It's coming in fast now, fellas... any second now." "Man:" "There he is... 12:00 high!" "Careful, sir!" "Give me that leash!" "We lose a lot of visiting firemen that way." "Are you all right?" "Yeah." "Thanks." "Pilot to crew chief..." "get ready, fellas." "Here she comes!" "We got it!" "Recovery, sir." "Yee-haw!" "Ha ha ho!" "Well, reel him in as soon as you can!" "Yes, sir." "Pull her in!" "Hickum control, this is recovery five." "Starfire picked up." "Air recovery successful." "They're bringing him in now." "What about Charlie?" "Is he still alive?" "They'll know soon." "Man:" "Bring it straight back." "Straight back!" "Straight back!" "Easy... easy, now!" "That's enough!" "Easy." "Crew chief to pilot..." "the hatch is off, sir." "Soon as you find out, let me know." "How is he?" "He's alive!" "Yeah hoo hoo hoo!" "Hurry up... bring him out." "Hey, Charlie boy, how are you?" "!" "Oh, man, it's good to see you." "Gentlemen..." "Gentlemen, we're gathered here tonight for a double purpose... to honor our friend and mascot, airman Charlie... first chimpanzee to orbit the moon." "Charlie, you put us on the threshold." "On the threshold of what?" "A man around the moon." "Now, just a minute." "We were under the impression... if a chimpanzee can survive, so can a man." "After all, there's practically no difference between them." "Oh, no?" "Do chimpanzees have the vote in your state, general?" "Senator, sometimes I wonder." "As I was saying, gentlemen, we stand ready for the big jump." "The only question is..." "Who's going to be the lucky man?" "Now, I know you're all fully qualified, but I can't make a choice without letting myself open for a charge of favoritism." "Therefore, I'll ask for a volunteer." "General..." "A point of information, sir... is this shot still scheduled for next march?" "Changed... we have till the end of this week to catch the moon in its present proximity to earth." "Otherwise, we have to wait three months." "This week, sir?" "Right." "Now, that's a tough decision on short notice." "But Washington..." "Washington wants its answer tonight." "We're not the only nation shooting for the moon." "Now, then..." "Who's it gonna be?" "You have any doubts, just take heart from our friend Charlie here." "How is it up there, Charlie boy... fun, huh?" "Pbbbt!" "Pbbbt!" "Sorry, sir." "What's the matter with you?" "Gentlemen..." "I'd welcome a show of hands." "As I said before, we're not pressuring anyone." "Take your time!" "Hah!" "There's my man." "That's him, senator." "Congratulations, boy." "Congratulations." "Very nice." "Frankly, gentlemen, captain Talbot was my personal choice right from the beginning." "Excuse me... thank you, sir." "He's young, unmarried, physically fit, specially trained in bioastronautics, with a fine future." "In short, gentlemen..." "perfect for the mission." "Captain, what state are you from?" "Yours, sir." "That's what I was afraid of." "Well, we best get going." "We got a great deal to do, and only a couple of days." "That won't give me much of a leave." "No, I suggest that... what was that?" "I said, that won't give me much of a leave, will it, sir?" "Leave for you is out." "But... no one sets foot off this base until you're in that bird and on your way to the moon." "But, general... even I have to stay here." "But, sir, you see... no one outside this base knows except the president." "But, sir, the only... there's no time for personal interest, captain." "We can't risk a failure." "Secretary:" "Not a public one, at any rate." "Not in an election year." "We're not going to yell for the whole world to watch and then fall flat on our faces." "No." "General, I wouldn't tell anyone." "Gentlemen." "Try to understand, captain, leave for you is out." "All I want to do is go home!" "Do you have a mother, captain?" "Well, yes, of course I've got a mother." "That's why I want to go home." "Now, uh, you wouldn't want to worry your mother, would you?" "Oh, I wouldn't tell her a thing." "You wouldn't confide in your own dear, sweet mother?" "Not in a case like this." "You think I want to scare her to death?" "She'd worm it out of you." "I know mothers." "I had one." "They're all psychic." "Oh, not mine." "She believes anything I tell her." "You're not going to be difficult, are you?" "Yes, sir." "Is this an ultimatum?" "Yes, sir." "You won't ride in the bird unless we let you go home?" "That's about the size of it, sir." "I guess maybe now you'll be wanting somebody else?" "I've already informed the white house." "Senator:" "John, you've got to let him go." "If it ever got out that we shot this fine American boy around the moon without letting him say goodbye to his mom..." "Oh..." "If I can, sir," "I'd like to get started first thing in the morning." "It will take me a day each way by bus... bus!" "Did you say "bus"?" "Well, actually, sir..." "I don't really care that much about flying." "You don't care much abou... and you're going to take a trip around the moon?" "Never mind!" "He volunteered, senator!" "You did volunteer, didn't you?" "Well, you see, sir..." "Yeah." "Yes, sir." "All right, Talbot, you can go." "You mean I'm..." "Replaced, sir?" "No... you have three days' leave!" "Oh." "Oh!" "Well, thank you, sir." "Senator, thank you." "Mr. Secretary, I knew you'd understand." "Ha!" "Hey, Charlie." "Hey, listen... how did it feel up there, huh?" "What was the worst part..." "the blastoff, the going up, or the coming down?" "Oh, boy, Charlie, I sure would give more than a penny for your thoughts right now." "If you could only give me some idea, some sign." "Aw, charli..." "Charlie!" "What did you do that for?" "Ch..." "Charlie!" "Now, Charlie." "Come on, now, Charlie." "Charlie, put that down." "Hey!" "Charlie!" "Crazy?" "!" "How can you tell when a chimp's crazy?" "Aren't they all?" "Oh, no, sir." "He's changed." "Charlie was friendly, and now he's mean and wild." "Wild!" "I tell you, sir, he got moonstruck up there." "You know..." "luna... moon..." "lunatic." "Ha!" "Frankly, sir, I wouldn't want that to happen to me." "W-would you, sir?" "Will you sit down, captain?" "I can understand your natural anxieties, but I can be a lot more objective." "You've supervised all of Charlie's flight reactions." "Now, what was his conduct at that time?" "He was right out of the jungle then, sir." "And wild..." "like he is now, hmm?" "Then you put him through the old air force basic... discipline, regular habits, huh?" "Turned him into an a-number-one astro chimp?" "You might say, sir..." "that's it." "Charlie's not loony." "He's overtrained." "That flight to the moon brought him back normal." "The same thing's gonna happen to you." "You've been working too hard." "You need to get away, rid yourself of these anxieties, tensions." "I envy you, boy, you know that?" "Sir?" "If they'd let me do it, I'd fly in that bird myself." "Now..." "I've got your round-trip air routing in San Francisco." "There you are." "I'll give you a few orders and instructions before you leave, however." "When you climb in that capsule, you're going to be in tiptop shape." "From this minute on, you're not to touch tobacco, alcohol, or stimulants of any kind." "Questions, captain?" "No, sir." "Major." "You will eat nothing else than this." "It is a highly concentrated, nourishing paste... the same thing that will sustain you in outer space." "Couldn't this have waited?" "After all, my mother's a good cook." "Your stomach must be pre-shrunk, captain." "Your system must have time to get adjusted." "Mind, now..." "no food of any kind... not even a teeny-weeny bite." "Gen. Vanneman:" "Any more questions?" "No, sir." "Captain." "You body and brain, sir, need absolute calm for the ordeal ahead." "So there must be no... pardon me, captain." "Major..." "Would you mind?" "Thank you." "As I was saying..." "You need absolute calm for the ordeal ahead, so there must be no emotional upsets or involvements." "I'm not sure I follow you." "What he means is no dames." "Oh..." "That." "Exactly." "Well, you don't have to worry." "I don't have a real steady girlfriend anyway." "Don't have an unsteady one either." "Understand?" "Yes, sir." "Good." "One thing more, and remember it... don't talk to strangers." "Types like Uncle Willy and aunt bessie can be spies." "The enemy never sleeps!" "Yes, sir." "Good luck, rich." "Enjoy yourself." "Yes, sir." "Thank you, sir..." "But how?" "Sandwich?" "Coffee, tea, or milk, sir?" "No..." "Thanks." "Sir, would you care for a sandwich?" "My stomach just isn't air-minded." "Would you care to try one of these?" "It will make you feel better." "Please... you look to me pale." "It won't help." "It never does." "This will." "It's never been known to fail." "An infallible cure?" "That'll be the day." "You must not be so professionally cynical." "Professionally?" "Thank you." "Oh, please, keep them." "You may need them again." "Gen. Vanneman:" "Don't talk to strangers." "They might be foreign spies." "No... uh..." "What's her name?" "Her?" "Yeah... the girl in the seat across from me." "Against regulations." "This is urgent." "I think I've been poi..." "I'd rather not say." "4-a..." "Name's lyrae." "Lyrae?" "L-y-r-a-e." "Lyrae what?" "Just lyrae." "That's all." "Oh?" "Does it say where she's from?" "No." "Is she alone?" "Not anymore, she isn't, apparently." "Oh, no, no, no, no." "This isn't what you think, believe me." "I wouldn't have the slightest interest." "Huh." "Well, give me your honest opinion... how does she strike you?" "Does she seem a little, uh..." "Unusual?" "Well, frankly, she looks like a beat." "Beat?" "A beatnik... oddball..." "unsquare... you know." "Oh..." "A beatnik." "Sir, are you sure you couldn't use a cup of coffee?" "Oh, no, thanks." "I feel fine." "Hey, I do." "I really do!" "That pill must have worked!" "Pill?" "Yeah." "I feel just fine now, and, uh, thanks." "Hmm..." "I wonder where she is from." "Why?" "Why, becau... huh?" "Why do you wish to know where I am from?" "I didn't say a word." "Oh, excuse me." "I thought you did." "I must talk to you, captain." "Fasten your seatbelt, sir." "Return to your seat." "We'll be landing in just a few minutes." "Captain?" "How did she know?" "Gen. Vanneman:" "Remember, Talbot... the enemy never sleeps..." "Sleeps..." "Sleeps." "Woman:" "All incoming passengers, please claim your baggage at the street entrance." "Hey, Walt!" "Hiya, rich." "How are you?" "Hello!" "Come on." "Let's get out of here." "Please, captain, you must listen to me!" "Keep on going." "Ohh!" "Hey, what's this?" "You trying to shake a little sky-side romance?" "You just drive." "Is that all you air force guys have on your minds?" "Never mind, little brother." "Hey, what's new with you?" "You are addressing the new assistant second foreman of Daisy fresh frozen foods." "Ha ha!" "Still the same old go-getter, huh?" "I'm gonna own that company in 30 years." "I should live so long..." "I hope." "Hey..." "If I work a few angles, maybe I can get you a place at Daisy fresh." "Thanks, but I think the offer's a little late." "Not to change the subject, Walt, but, uh..." "Hey, what are you doing tonight?" "I got a date." "Want me to fix you up?" "Forget it." "I'll spend the evening with mom." "Mom!" "Richie!" "Hi, mom!" "How are you?" "Richie, darling, why didn't you let me know earlier?" "It was all kind of sudden." "I could've delayed dinner." "Well, don't worry about it." "I'm on a diet, anyway." "A diet?" "Oh, and you're so thin and peaked." "Same old mom." "I'm so glad you're back, Richie." "I've been waiting for you." "Oh, Richie." "Hey, how about my best girl taking in a show with me tonight?" "Oh, I'd love to, Richie." "That's a wonderful idea." "Oh..." "Oh, I forgot... it's Wednesday, and my bridge club always meets on Wednesday night." "Oh." "So it does." "I am sorry, but when you surprise people like this... your stuff's upstairs, rich." "Look, I've got to hurry." "I'm gonna be late, okay?" "Hey, Walt... see you tomorrow morning!" "Psst!" "Mom!" "Oh!" "Oh, Richie, darling, come in!" "You... you girls all know my son Richmond, don't you?" "Hello." "Yes, dear?" "Mom, I think I'll stroll around the old neighborhood and take a LA... take a look." "Go right ahead, but don't be too late." "See you later, mom." "Woman:" "Celia, please." "All right." "Uh, 2, spades." "Whew... oh, boy, that's a long, long way from home." "Woman:" "Captain!" "How did you... what are you doing here?" "I came to warn you." "To warn me?" "About what?" "About what your air force is planning to do with you." "Air force?" "E... pi..." "Oh, you must have me mixed up with somebody else." "No, captain Talbot." "They intend to send you around the moon in a rocket." "How do you know th..." "I mean, no, they're not!" "There is no reason to be alarmed." "Now, see here." "I don't know what you're talking about." "Your people have left out a very important element." "If you ever expect to get back..." "I don't even know you!" "And this about rockets... now, get this straight... my name's not Talbot, and you got the wrong sucker, so stop following me, see?" "Please, captain, you must listen to me!" "Go away." "Go away, or I'll call the police." "I have it right here if you only want to see." "Please!" "Please, captain!" "Hey, watch where you're going!" "On, uh, second thought, where are you going?" "Would you, uh, like a lift?" "I checked." "$10." "$10..." "And $20." "I'll get it, captain." "General." "This I gotta see." "General vanneman's quarters." "It's for you, John." "I'm out." "Three Jacks..." "Three kings, senator." "...and two aces." "What?" "Yes." "Put him on." "Oh." "It's Talbot." "Talbot?" "Sir, I'm sorry." "I've got to talk to you." "What's up?" "You're not supposed to check in till... sir, I'm being followed." "You what?" "!" "A spy... everywhere I go." "I can't seem to shake her." "Her?" "!" "Yes, sir." "She's a woman." "Describe her." "Well, she's... she's young..." "early 20s, maybe." "Dresses kinda funny, like one of those... like one of those beatniks." "She's got an accent." "What kind?" "I couldn't tell, sir." "We can pretty well guess, though, can't we?" "Oh." "You know her name?" "Yes, sir... lyrae..." "l-y-r-a-e." "A-e." "Hmph." "Naturally, that's not a real name." "They're too smart for that." "How can they know?" "How can they possibly know?" "!" "She was on my plane, sir." "Then the leak must be right here on this base." "Well, no doubt about it, sir." "I knew it from the start!" "I never should have let you go, Talbot!" "Oh, no, no, no, sir." "I'm all right." "My only problem is this girl." "What'll I do, sir?" "Do?" "!" "Get out of there, that's what you do." "Take the first bus to San Francisco." "Does your family know?" "No, sir." "Good." "Don't let them." "Don't tell them anything." "Don't you talk to anybody..." "not even federal security!" "Federal security?" "Are they here?" "They will be." "All you have to do is take that bus." "You understand?" "No, sir, but I'll do it." "Good." "This woman's not alone, you know." "But, sir, if she knows... touch in the dark... war of nerves." "We can play that little game ourselves." "Now, all you have to do is pack up and get out of there... alive!" "Believe me, general..." "I'll sure try." "Captain Talbot?" "Fed... federal security." "Mcclosky." "Well, we missed her." "We flung a net over the town, but she got through." "Either that, or she's still holed up there somewhere." "We're gonna need some more details." "Like what?" "Now, what happened on that aeroplane?" "Nothing much." "She gave me some pills." "I still got the bottle." "You didn't take any?" "One." "Oh?" "Any after-effects?" "Yeah." "I felt better." "Could be a delayed reaction... like a time bomb." "Why is she tailing you?" "I haven't the faintest idea." "You big with the air force?" "No, Mr. Mcclosky..." "small, very small." "Secret mission?" "No." "I was just home on leave visiting my family." "You don't have to clam up with me, captain." "We're on different teams, but we both work for the same coach." "What the opposition wants from you is part of the same game." "I can get blown out of the stadium as high as you." "I rather doubt that." "Come on, captain." "This isn't marbles." "This is the big game." "Well..." "When you come right down to it, all I saw was one girl, and all she wanted to do was tell me something." "Tell you what?" "Well, she knew that I was going to... gen." "Vanneman:" "Don't tell them anything..." "Anything..." "Anything!" "Go on!" "Go on." "What did she know?" "I'm not talking." "Hey, Mr. Mcclosky!" "Mr. Mcclosky!" "What's the... let's go." "Come on." "Any word?" "One man says he saw a woman answering her description... almost ran her down." "Did he talk to her?" "Tried to give her a lift." "What happened?" "That's what the fella can't remember." "When he came to, it was 3:00 A.M., and he was 4 Miles outside of town walking in circles." "Does this info check out?" "All except the last part..." "I don't know about that." "But you see what I mean?" "They're clever." "Here..." "Send this to the lab." "Tell them to rush it." "Soon as you got a report, send it to me." "If there's any antidote, bring it to me pronto." "Right." "You made sure we won't be bothered?" "Yes, sir." "You're in the bridal suite." "Now, everything's secure, brown?" "Buttoned up tight." "Relax, captain." "Those spies of yours couldn't have the remotest idea where you are." "I don't doubt it." "I don't know where I am myself." "Hey, who are you calling?" "Mcchord air force base... on orders." "Any objection?" "Okay." "Okay." "Don't get touchy." "Oh, sorry." "I want to place a call to general vanneman, mcchord air force base." "That's right." "Make it collect." "Who, me?" "I'm captain Talbot." "You and your detail spell each other standing guard." "I want a man here at all times, at every entrance." "I mean every delivery entrance and mousehole." "Gotcha." "¶ Hmm da-doo-doo hmm-hmm hmm hmm hmm ¶ this is a private call." "Do you mind?" "!" "Sorry." "I'm under orders, too, you know." "I'd know anyway." "It's bugged." "¶ Hmm-hmm hmm hmm ¶" "¶ hmm-hmm hmm hmm-hmm ¶" "I don't care whose toes we step on!" "I want another security check brought on everybody!" "And this time, include me!" "Does that make it clear enough, colonel?" "Yes, sir." "General." "Vanneman!" "That's all." "Yes." "Talbot?" "Yes, sir." "Where are you?" "Uh..." "Park Lane hotel." "Gen. Vanneman:" "What about the spy?" "Well, we've finally shaken her, sir... at least, I think we have." "I've turned the base inside out, I'm having checks rerun... be careful, sir, this line's tapped... federal security." "Tapped?" "!" "How dare they do that?" "!" "This is official air force business!" "Would you like to tell them, sir?" "One of them's standing right here." "Yes." "Put him on!" "General vanneman." "Mcclosky speaking." "Mcclosky, as of right now, captain Talbot is the most important man in this country." "You understand?" "No, general, I don't." "I'd appreciate it if..." "I don't got time to chat." "Get this straight... if you'd give me an idea... guard him with your life... with your life, sir!" "See that he's not disturbed." "Yes, sir, but I feel that I have the right... keep him quiet and perfectly relaxed." "I'll let you know later about getting him back to the base." "Whatever you say, general." "But just between... right!" "Put Talbot back on." "Uh, say, general, what about my leave?" "Canceled!" "But, sir, you promised." "You've gotten us into enough trouble, Talbot." "There'll be no more." "But, general, sir, you promised me... you have 6 hours and 23 minutes of leave time left." "Use it wisely." "Wisely?" "Go to bed and stay there." "That's an order!" "Yes, sir." "The general didn't take time to elaborate, but I get the impression he's leaving it up to you." "Hmm?" "Leaving what?" "Filling me in." "What is this all about?" "I may be bushed, Mr. Mcclosky, but I'm not that bushed." "We're entrusted with the security of the entire United States, and they don't tell me a thing!" "Oh." "Talbot!" "Yeah?" "Come and get it." "Okay." "Oh." "Excuse me." "It's good." "Dig in." "Major:" "Mind, now..." "no food of any kind... not even a teeny-weeny bite." "Gen. Vanneman:" "Talbot!" "Remember the rules." "What's the matter..." "yours tough?" "I got my own food." "What's that stuff?" "Lunch!" "No, that's dinner." "Oh... ulcers?" "Mnh-mnh." "Ohh..." "Medical experiment... like survival food, maybe?" "Maybe." "All right, don't tell me!" "I'm sorry if I can't talk, Mr. Mcclosky." "It's nothing personal, you know." "Listen to this..." ""captain Talbot, please do not avoid me again." ""Your very life is at stake." "The girl on the plane."" "The girl on the plane?" "She's here!" "She can't be." "She can't be!" "Stay put and lock the door!" "And don't leave until I get back!" "Hey!" "I thought you said she'd never find us!" "How's that for luck?" "Walked right into our trap!" "The girl on the plane." "Captain Talbot..." "Captain Talbot!" "Captain Talbot!" "Ooh-hoo!" "Ooh-hoo!" "Captain Talbot, I must talk to you." "Captain Talbot..." "Whoo-hoo!" "I do not always mean to startle you, but there is so little time." "Where did you..." "how long have you been here?" "Not long." "How did you get in?" "From the next room." "It is not occupied." "That door was locked." "I checked it myself." "Yes." "I know." "Okay." "We've got you now." "You're all washed up." "Washed up?" "Yeah... finished." "Federal security's tearing this hotel apart looking for you." "Your spying tricks won't work with us, you understand?" "You speak too fast... don't play sweet and dumb with me." "Where are you from?" "How'd you find us here?" "It does not matter." "The only thing is... no, you don't." "I am only trying to help!" "Well..." "All right." "Maybe you're one spy who doesn't carry a gun." "A spy?" "Yes... an enemy spy!" "But no!" "What do you mean, "but no"?" "I am no enemy." "You're a friendly spy?" "A spy is someone who seeks information." "Is that not so?" "Well, that's one way of putting it." "Then I am no spy." "I am here to give you information, not to seek it." "Well, that's a switch." "A switch?" "Yeah." "A switch... yes?" "Oh, never mind." "Captain Talbot..." "I wish only to save your life." "Now, look..." "How did you find out I'm going to the moon?" "I did not say you were going." "I said you would try." "And you will fail unless you follow our instructions." "Our?" "Mcclosky:" "Open up, Talbot, it's me." "Believe me, captain, what happened to Charlie will happen to you!" "The poor little thing is... how do you say it?" "Out of his head?" "Yes." "You did not protect him." "It is not your fault..." "you are not as advanced." "Talbot, you all right?" "Just a second!" "How could you possibly know?" "You will come with me, yes?" "Yes." "Where?" "How about the park right out there?" "When?" "Who's in there with you?" "Open up!" "Soon as I can." "Oh, that is good." "Talbot, you let me in, or I'll break the door down!" "Get in here... quick!" "Open up!" "Talbot, you let me in, or I'll break the door down!" "Break it down!" "What's going on?" "Ow!" "Where is she?" "She?" "Ohh." "Come on." "Come on." "Woman:" "I'll tell you how you can get it..." "Where did she go?" "Where did who go?" "Don't you give me that!" "I heard a woman's voice in this room!" "Uh, you..." "You must have heard that." "Woman: ..." "Frankie, don't look at me like that." "Baby, I love you." "No... oh, no!" "Please, Frankie!" "Why did you take so long to open the door?" "Uh, t-to open the door?" "Yes." "We got the whole staff rounded up in the kitchen." "I'll be right with you." "Why don't you get dressed and come on along and see if you can identify her?" "!" "I will." "I will." "Tuxedo 5-0711, and be quick." "Drake!" "Send this to the lab." "Tell them to rush it." "Tell those men in the lobby to get up here fast." "We don't want any slip-ups." "Hurry up, will you?" "!" "Hello, Harris?" "Mack." "Say, uh, I think we've got that girl trapped right here in the hotel." "Right." "Well..." "Break out files on all female spy suspects and stand by for action, sir." "Thank you." "Oh..." "Ready?" "With that convention... with that convention crowd in the lobby, we'll have to keep close tabs on our boy." "There will be no slip-ups." "Uh, Mr. Mcclosky, what if we don't find the spy?" "Well, if we don't find her, what do we do then?" "Captain, we never quit until the file is closed." "Don't worry... this one's closing with a bang." "Say, uh, Mr. Mcclosky... uh, Mr. Mcclosky, uh..." "When this is over, if you don't need me," "I was wondering if I could get away for about a half an hour?" "Uh..." "Not even to look up an old friend?" "Absolutely not." "Excuse me." "Hey." "Hey, don't I know you?" "No." "Ted Jones!" "Of all the... you got the wrong fella." "I'll see you." "No, come here!" "You're the spit and image of your dad." "Hey, fellas, look who's here!" "Come and meet my family." "Now..." "When we get in there, we... who..." "Talbot!" "Where is he?" "!" "Get him!" "Cover the exits!" "You... you..." "Gen. Vanneman:" "Talbot!" "Don't talk to anyone." "They're rough." "They're clever." "Talbot, you've gotten us into enough trouble." "Captain Talbot." "Don't do that!" "I am happy that you could get away." "Yeah." "H-how did you... how in the world do you always manage to... oh, boy." "Now, are you alone?" "Oh, yes." "Where shall we go?" "Nowhere." "We'll..." "Come on." "We'll sit over there." "Come on." "Listen, I'll give you exactly one minute to explain how you know about Charlie and me, or I'm gonna turn you in." "Tsk." ""Coat the rocket with beryllium and cesium" ""and proportion 3 to 5 respectively." ""This to be infused with aniline and talvadine at a temp... " what's this supposed to do?" "Protect you from the proton rays." "What happened to Charlie... will happen to me." "You said that before." "Your air force must give you this protection." "Beryllium and cesium infused with aniline... aniline?" "Chemistry is not my special field, but I know a little." "We've been using vanadium in combination with... that is not good enough..." "not where you'll be going." "The way Charlie was acting up, you may have a point." "You think this is the answer?" "I know it is, captain." "You must not lose another moment." "It will take time to coat the rocket." "All this time I've been running away thinking you were an enemy." "Oh, yeah, that is funny... a big, strong man like you and a weak little girl like me." "I can just see vanneman's face when I tell him..." "By the way, what am I going to tell him?" "Where did you get this formula?" "It is a confidence." "It's better I do not say." "But if I'm gonna make sense with the general," "I'm gonna have to answer some questions, like... by the way, where are you from?" "Please, do not ask me that, captain Talbot." "Why not?" "It has nothing to do with the formula." "Nothing?" "Oh... tell your general you thought of it yourself!" "He knows I'm not that smart... not in chemistry, anyway." "Then tell him nothing." "Only make him test it, and he will see for himself." "We have been using it for years." "We?" "Who's we?" "Promise me you will insist on the protection, hmm?" "Now, look..." "You tell me who you are and where you're from." "You would not believe me." "Why wouldn't I?" "All right..." "If there is no other way." "I am from betalyrae." "Beta what?" "Lyrae." "Where's that?" "Up there." "Which hotel?" "Not a hotel, captain..." "a planet." "Oh, a planet." "A planet?" "You cannot see it now." "Even at night it's difficult." "You mean you think you're from..." "It is beyond the star that you call Andromeda." "Oh, boy." "It was bad enough when I thought you were a spy." "Now you think you're..." "I knew you would not believe me." "What did you expect?" "Then why did you make me tell you?" "That was not very bright." "And I am not a space-age kook." "How did you know I was thinking that?" "You earth people are so conceited." "You think you know everything!" "You can read minds." "When it is necessary, yes." "Can you tell fortunes, too?" "Captain..." "If I prove to you I am what I say, would it help?" "Look, don't you think this has gone far enough?" "I will try to show you something of your future." "Sometimes the vision is not very nice." "I never know what will materialize." "You are not afraid?" "No, go right ahead." "My future couldn't look any worse than it does now." "Look, I've given you just about every chance I can, but spy, astronaut, or just plain kook, it's time I had you checked out with security." "Hello." "Hello." "Are you lost, fella?" "Unh-unh?" "What's your name?" "Richmond." "Richmond?" "Richmond..." "Richmond?" "He's got the same name as me." "Huh?" "You better run along, fella." "Wait." "Whose little boy are you?" "Yours." "Mine?" "I told you, I never know what will materialize." "Ours?" "Ours?" "Huh?" "Did I do it all wrong?" "It's unbelievable." "Oh, you do not believe me?" "Come on." "We better go call the general." "Every highway and bridge... every airport, railroad station, bus depot, and taxi stand." "I want complete coverage, a list of all suspects, instant reports on the slightest rumble." "Right?" "Right." "Mac." "Oh, denis." "Chief says I'm to be your good right arm." "What'll you have?" "Plenty of police cars, both standby and cruising, and I want every man you can spare." "They tell me this is top-security stuff." "My orders are coming straight from Washington." "For an air force captain?" "The guy must be hot." "What's he do?" "Sorry..." "I'm not at liberty to say." "A man as important as that should have been guarded." "He was." "Oh, no!" "What rookie handled that goof-off?" "The bird flies at 1000 sharp on schedule." "Keep the countdown going." "We'll do our best, sir." "You'll do better than that." "We have no control over technical bugs, sir." "We have them every time." "Then make this a first!" "No scrubs, no bugs, no red lights, and no excuses!" "I'll have Talbot back here in time for final briefing and blastoff." "He goes up on schedule, or we'll go down in history as failures." "And I'll write the book myself!" "Did he like it?" "He wasn't there." "He left the base, and he's on his way here to get me." "Oh, that is good!" "You will tell him then." "It's in the meanwhile that I'm worried about." "There is nothing to do but wait." "So, will we wait?" "Oh, thank you." "Why, uh... well, how come you went to all this trouble?" "Hmm?" "Why should you care whether our moon shot works or not?" "We want to be friends." "With us?" "But of course." "Yeah?" "We've been watching you for centuries." "No fooling?" "It has taken you a long time to... how do you say it..." "to advance to us?" "Um, catch up with you?" "Yes, catch up..." "So that you could hear us and talk to us, and it will come." "Now you are in space with us." "We would like to help." "Oh..." "You laugh at me." "No." "It struck me funny, that's all." "Funny?" "Yeah." "Well, no, not funny exactly." "It's more like... it's more like wonderful... crazy, mixed-up..." "Wonderful." "What is?" "Well, you, me... just the thought that there are people like you up there." "I mean... oh, man, that's something!" "Wait till I tell those other guys." "They'll never believe it..." "never in a thousand years." "What is wrong?" "Well, how do you expect the general to ever believe a thing like this?" "But you believed me." "Well, sure I did, but look what you had to do." "I mean, well..." "You can't just go around materializing children out of thin air for guys like the general or mcclosky or anybody else who happens to come along and want some proof." "It wouldn't be decent." "But I could not materialize for them only for you." "Uh-huh, uh-huh." "I want the entire neighborhood fine-combed!" "Right!" "Excuse me." "Say, whatever happened to that couple that was... general vanneman." "Where is he?" "I'm glad to meet you, sir." "My name's mcclosky." "Trot him out, mcclosky." "He'll be here directly, sir." "Won't you have a seat?" "Thank you." "I don't have much time." "What do you mean, "directly"?" "!" "In a minute, sir." "You mean he's not here?" "Oh, of course he is." "Can't I order you a drink?" "No, thank you." "Room service!" "Wouldn't you like a sandwich?" "Say, what's going on around here?" "!" ""On," general?" "Yes!" "Who are all these people?" "!" "It looks like a field headquarters!" "Oh, this... this is just ordinary routine, that's all... yes." "Routine for what?" "Well, when we do a job, sir, we do it thoroughly... yes, sirree!" "Where is captain Talbot?" "He'll be back within the hour, sir." "You, uh... you have my word." "He's gone." "Don't you concern yourself, general... you lost him!" "Just temporarily, that's all, sir." "There was a bit of a mix-up, wasn't there?" "But we're hot on the scent, sir... hot on the..." "Scent." "I thought..." "I talked to him!" "You had him right here!" "Yes, sir..." "right here in this very room." "You let them grab him out from under your noses." "Shows what kind of experts we're up against, huh?" "Experts?" "!" "Of course they're experts!" "What's so difficult about being expert when you're dealing with amateurs?" "!" "Let's be careful about the language, huh?" "Don't tell me to be careful!" "You should have been!" "Hold on!" "We're only human." "Anybody can make a mistake." "Even we can." "Don't give me platitudes, just get me back my officer!" "And talking of mistakes..." "if he's so important to you, why did you let him out in the first place?" "That has nothing to do with you." "I have a right to know!" "Why is he so important?" "!" "Sorry... top security." "General, I am security!" "Oh, yes." "Mr. Mcclosky..." "Captain Talbot happens to be the pilot who is going around the moon." "Around the moon!" "Shh!" "Like Charlie the chimp?" "Yes." "Well, what do you know!" "I'd never have guessed it... not the captain." "The captain happens to be our lucky volunteer." "Just think..." "All this time, we had a man right here in our midst... a man who'll go down in history, like Columbus, and we didn't even know." "We didn't... why wasn't I told?" "!" "Does that imply, sir, that your efforts left something to be desired?" "My job is just as important to me as yours is to you." "I'm in charge of this search, and right now you're in my way!" "Is that clear?" "Ha!" "Mac." "Yeah." "What?" "Search all of those joints." "I want every female beatnik in the town brought in." "I want to see that spy dame behind bars!" "Right." "Mcclosky, I've changed my mind." "I'll have that drink." "What if he just plain refuses?" "Then you must make him do it." "With generals, you don't make them do anything." "He's not a reasonable man?" "Well, it all depends upon what he calls a "reasonable" request." "Then refuse to go." "Oh, sure, I can see the headlines now..." ""moon pilot chickens out."" "I'd rather be dead the easy way, like a hero." "If the moon shot fails, your president would be very angry with him." "You don't realize he has to go through with it, and so do I, protection or not." "Oh, you are so stubborn." "Nope." "I'm just a guy who does what he has to do." "Right now, I'm more worried about what's gonna happen to you." "What is gonna happen when I'm up there?" "Please, don't worry." "Will you be going back to..." "I don't know." "If the general turns me down, is that gonna mean trouble?" "Do not even think of that." "I have to." "Maybe I'll decide I won't even call him." "You must." "It is your duty to your country..." "I know." "...to the whole universe..." "To me... our future together." "Yeah..." "Our future." "Richmond..." "I wish always to be where you will be." "For me there is no one else but you." "It's like I've been lonesome all my life, and now, all of a sudden... lyrae..." "What was that?" "Hmm?" "What did you do?" "I kissed you." "So that's a kiss?" "You mean to say you didn't know about it?" "I have heard about it, and I have tried to understand, but it is not the same as doing, is it?" "I guess not." "Would you do it again?" "Mmm." "That is nice." "Oh, yes." "I don't think you quite got the hang of it." "I cannot become skillful with one lesson." "I must have time to consider what I have learned." "Hey, uh..." "What do they do on betalyrae?" "Do?" "Yeah." "I mean, if they don't..." "What do they do?" "Yike!" "You don't like?" "Well, no." "It's just a little unexpected, that's all." "Yeah." "As a matter of fact, I do like." "Are you expert?" "Hmm?" "Expert?" "With kissing." "Oh..." "Yeah, maybe." "With you, I will become expert, yes?" "With me?" "Yeah." "I believe I am getting it." "Now, will you call him?" "Hmm?" "Your general." "The general." "Yes." "Oh, the general?" "Yeah, you bet I'll call him, and I'll convince him, too." "Brown speaking." "It's for the general." "Washington?" "Hello." "Hello, general, this is captain Talbot." "It's Talbot... it's Talbot." "Talbot..." "Talbot!" "Trace this call." "Trace this call." "Hook me in." "Talbot, where are you?" "I'm in town, sir." "Where?" "!" "Where?" "!" "Where?" "Where... where in town?" "!" "I'm at a pay phone, sir." "What's the matter, can't you talk?" "Oh, yes, sir." "That's why I'm calling." "Gen. Vanneman:" "Where did they get you?" "They?" "The spies." "The spies!" "What's the matter with you, Talbot?" "!" "It's from the dock area." "I'm going after him." "Keep him talking." "Don't let him hang up." "Captain..." "Have you been brainwashed?" "Brainwashed?" "I'm sorry, sir." "I'm afraid I don't follow you." "Tell... tell me one thing... are you free to come and go?" "Oh, yes, sir... free as a bird." "Then what are you doing on the phone?" "!" "If you're such a free bird, get your tail up here!" "Uh..." "Yes, I will, sir..." "As soon as I have your promise." "Promise?" "!" "About something very important, sir." "Listen to me, Talbot... no, you listen to me!" "What?" "!" "Sir..." "I'm sorry, sir, but this is important." "Have you got a pencil, sir?" "Yes, I've... blast you, Talbot," "I'm gonna have you up for court-martial!" "No, you won't, sir, because I gotta go to..." "I've gotta go to the moon, and I would like this shot to be a success, sir, wouldn't you?" "Ahh." "Uh, wouldn't you, sir?" "I've..." "Wouldn't you, sir?" "You're doing fine." "We've almost got it traced." "Captain Talbot?" "I'm still here, sir." "Correct me if I'm wrong." "Are you trying to make another little deal?" "Yes, sir, I am." "That's mutiny!" "He's coming around." "Captain, are you familiar with the articles of war?" "Ye... you realize this is treason." "I'm gonna run you up in the morning..." "Talbot?" "Talbot, are you listening to me?" "!" "I beg pardon, sir?" "You heard me." "Humor him." "Keep him on." "All right, talk." "I'm listening." "Brown, you got him pinpointed yet?" "Great." "Fisherman's wharf." "Beryllium and cesium?" "Talbot:" "Yes, sir." "You see, cesium's a soft silvery substance..." "I know what it is." "I also know we've been using vanadium." "What makes you think your formula's better?" "W... uh, uh..." "Well, let me ask you one first, sir." "Uh, how's Charlie?" "Charlie?" "Well, uh, let's see, now." "At last check... he's worse." "His mind's been affected, sir." "Look, all I'm asking is that you make these tests." "After all, it's my brain and my life." "Is that too much to ask, sir?" "No, I suppose not." "Well, then, will you write this down, sir?" "All right, talk." "Cut your siren." "Cut sirens." "Converge on middle wharf." "That's right, sir... at a temperature of 845 degrees centigrade." "You got that?" "Got it." "Is there anything else you'd like me to do for you, captain?" "I would like your promise to test this formula, sir." "Of course!" "Anything to keep you happy." "Well, thank you, sir." "We're in, sweetheart." "We're in." "Thank you very much, sir, and I'll be right Al... let's go, sweetheart." "Search the area." "Pick up witnesses." "Hey!" "Now, wait a minute." "Where are you taking me?" "To police headquarters." "You can't do that." "I gotta see the general." "You'll see him." "Well, well, captain..." "Awfully nice to see you again." "Yes, sir." "It's, uh, good to see you, sir." "Your little escapade all over now?" "Yes, sir." "No more deals and conditions?" "No, sir." "Let's get out of here!" "Out!" "Not so fast, general." "I'm not through with him." "I can't help that, sir." "I'm running out of time." "Sorry." "We're shooting him to the moon, remember?" "He stays until he tells me about the spy." "Here's a witness for you, Mac." "Witness for what?" "!" "What's your name?" "Cristoforo battaglia." "Sit right down here, Mr. Battaglia." "Now, tell me..." "Have you ever seen that man before?" "Oh, sure." "Mcclosky:" "Where?" "At... on the Fisherman's wharf." "When?" "This evening." "What was he doing?" "Well, uh, he was talking a long time on the telephone." "Uh-huh." "Was he alone?" "Oh, no... with a lady friend." "Describe her." "A good-looking lady... very pretty." "Ah, it's nice to be young and make love, eh?" "Would you care to tell us exactly what they were doing?" "What would you be doing with a pretty girl?" "Uh, just answer the question." "Well, uh, he kiss her, and she kiss him." "Are you sure of this, sir?" "Senza dubbio." "They kiss not one time, not two time, but many time." "Mcclosky:" "Thank you, Mr. Battaglia." "You ready for the lineup?" "Yeah, run them in." "Mr. Mcclosky, look, um, if it were this girl, and you found her, what would you do to her?" "Well, this is a spy." "Most nations shoot them." "We pamper them." "Come on... quit stalling and tell the truth." "Are you protecting her?" "Did you sell out, huh?" "You handed over some rocket secrets?" "What do you think I am?" "I don't know!" "Will you tell me?" "You think I'd betray my country?" "!" "Benedict Arnold did." "Easy!" "No excitement, captain." "No excitement." "No excitement." "Mr. Battaglia, when they line these people up," "I want you to try to identify this girl you told us about." "And, captain, I hold you honor-bound as an officer in the United States air force to do the same." "I am following an old gray cat, who is following a little gray mouse." "We all live together happily on the shores of the catatonic." "Knock it off." "I am a waterlily on dry land..." "What in heaven's name do you see in weirdos like that?" "Believe me, sir, I'm not as bad as I'm painted... mcclosky:" "Pay attention." "Any of them look like her?" "Woman: ..." "Faded society." "We are all symbols searching for a status." "We are all known... all right, next bunch." "...and silent trees..." "Take them out." "All right, down the steps." "...we are all symbols searching for status." "Yeah." "We are all known only... woman:" "Hey, wait a minute." "Only to the darkened silence." "Get in here." "Knock it off!" "Get..." "Up..." "There!" "All the way over there..." "and you, too!" "All right... on over." "Come on... all the way up." "Yeah?" "No, no, no, no." "The other was, uh..." "Affectionate..." "che paradiso di Fiore." "Darkness!" "Like, way out there!" "The crazy quiet!" "Quiet, man!" "Nothing but gone peace, but I mean out-on-a-limb quiet!" "Dig that bottomless pit!" "Fallen!" "Fallen!" "Fallen!" "Nothing but gone peace!" "Mac, here's the lab reports." "Woman:" "Go up there..." "all the way across." "I hate machines... all machines... tape machines, the wish machines, and the washing machines... all machines." "I hate 'em, I hate 'em, I hate 'em!" "Blah!" "Woman: ¶ ..." "A-hangin' ¶" "¶ a-hangin' from a tree... ¶ cowards of conformity!" "Protectors of the organization man!" "Away with the dollar bills that chain men to managers!" "And away with blue uniforms and grey flannel suits!" "And keep your hands off of me!" "Away with conformity!" "Look at you all!" "You think I don't see you out there?" "I see you!" "What does it all mean?" "Is it something we can take home and discuss later?" "With your blue suits!" "Why does it have to be blue?" "Man:" "Mac?" "Yeah?" "Oh... uh, is there any more back there?" "Uh, two or three, maybe." "All right, run them in." "¶ Nobody can avoid the void ¶" "¶ nobody can avoid the void ¶" "¶ you can't ¶" "¶ I can't ¶ dig!" "¶ Neither could Sigmund Freud ¶" "¶ scoo-ba-Dee-doo-bee ¶" "¶ doo-bee doo ¶ that does it, Mac." "You want them held?" "No." "Send them back to their coffee cups." "All right." "That'll be all." "Thanks." "Thank you." "A very nice show... oh, yes." "Yes." "Well, if you don't mind, mcclosky, we'll... just a minute, general." "I have here a lab report on those pills the girl gave you on the plane." "They analyzed them with every test known in the book." "You know what they found?" ""They contained no elements known on earth."" "And the same goes for the bottle." "It wasn't made of plastic or glass or anything that had ever been seen before." "That's very interesting." "Isn't it, sir?" "Very interesting." "Just a minute, captain." "We also analyzed the note she sent you this morning." "The composition of the paper and the ink was totally unfamiliar." "And take my word for it... when we can't break down a piece of paper, nobody can!" "Your point, sir?" "The point is that..." "I don't have any." "Do you?" "No." "You're free to go, captain." "Thank you." "Thank you." "Oh, Talbot..." "Sir?" "I want a straight answer from you... yes or no." "Did you break any of the rules?" "With a beatnik, sir?" "Yes or no." "Oh, no, sir." "Oh, uh, captain." "Hey, uh..." "Where did you say that girl was from?" "I didn't say." "Uh-huh." "Bye, Mr. Mcclosky." "No element known on earth..." "No, no..." "Couldn't be." "Man: "T" minus 27 seconds and counting." "All recorders and oscillographs to "fast."" "Ready your start." "Man: ..." "Pressurized." "Man ♪2: ..." "Pressurized." "Status check..." "range safety arm light on?" "Affirmative." "Range ready?" "Ready." "Water system ready?" "You comfortable, rich?" "On my mark, it will be "t" minus five seconds." "4... 3...2... 1...0." "Man:" "Going good." "Going good, boy... going good." "Keep going, boy, keep going." "Go, man." "Go, man." "Go." "Any time now, sir." "Separation." "Mcchord to starfire." "Come in, starfire." "Mcchord to starfire." "Mcchord to starfire." "Come in, starfire." "Can you read me, starfire?" "Starfire to mcchord." "Good to hear you, rich." "Oh, boy... don't think it isn't good to hear you, sir." "Are you all right?" "Yes, sir." "But that first stage was sure a Lulu." "Take over anytime you're ready." "Yes, sir." "The prettiest countdown we ever had." "It's a beautiful day!" "Oh, boy, I wish you could see this, sir." "What a sight!" "Any abnormal sensations?" "I do feel a little..." "Lonesome, sir." "I shouldn't wonder." "Everything's working great, rich." "How do you feel now?" "Fine, sir." "Keep alert." "Keep alert, rich!" "Yes, sir, I remember." "Oh, lyrae..." "If I ever needed you before, I need you now." "If only you were here with me." "But I am with you, Richmond, darling." "Mmm..." "Lyrae..." "How did you get here?" "We have ways of doing things, darling..." "That I will teach you." "His voice is changing." "It's affecting his mind." "M-mcchord to starfire." "Talbot?" "Darling..." "What?" "!" "Wherever you go, I go, too." "Good heavens, general, that sounds like a woman!" "Impossible!" "Talbot..." "Talbot:" "But I'm going around the moon." "Answer me!" "Yes, but your moon is so dull." "Huh?" "Why don't you first come with me to betalyrae, huh?" "Gen. Vanneman:" "Talbot, if you don't answer me, I'll... you will like betalyrae." "¶ Exa luna bot ¶ exa luna what?" "¶ Exa luna lot ¶ exa luna lot?" "¶ There are seven moons ¶ seven?" "¶ Off betalyrae ¶ betalyrae... ¶ Seven moons ¶ seven?" "¶ All made for love ¶ yeah?" "¶ Exa luna bot ¶ exa luna bot." "¶ Exa luna lot ¶ exa luna lot." "¶ Seven moons above ¶ seven... yeah." "¶ Seven times the love ¶" "Uh this is starfire to mcchord." "Are you still there?" "Well, of course... of course we're still here." "Where have you been?" "Well, sir, I just wanted to let you know" "I'll be a little late getting back." "You'll what?" "!" "Well, sir, I've got something to do first before I go around our moon." "What are you talking about?" "I've got a lady here who's gonna take me to her planet." "They've got seven moons, and they're all made for..." "Love." "Love?" "!" "Shut up!" "Talbot!" "Don't you dare cut me off!" "Oh, yes... tell my mom" "I'll have a big surprise for her when I get back." "Bye, now." "Say goodbye to the general, lyrae." "Goodbye, general, dear." "Mcchor... firefly to... to, uh..." "I mean, Talbot!" "Talbot!" "¶ There are seven moons... ¶" "Talbot, talk to me." "Talbot!" "Talbot, please talk to me!" "Talbot, what's going on up there?" "!" "¶ ...seven times the joy ¶ gen." "Vanneman:" "Talbot!" "You listen to me... ¶ For a girl and boy ¶" "¶ seven moons above ¶ what's going on up there?" "!" "¶ Seven times the love ¶ blast you, Talbot!" "I'll have you up for court-martial!" "That's mutiny!" "Talbot, please talk to me!" "Talbot! captions paid for by the U.S. department of education and buena vista television"