Castles in the Sky Page #6

They don't know that. Exactly.

You think this will work?

I hope so, sir.

All five stations?

There are five? Correct?

We will show you how two stations

communicating together can

detect planes at greater distances.

The planes for today's demonstration

are already in the air.

Due to the obvious time

constraints, gentlemen,

we have decided to go for quality

rather than quantity.

All our energies are being

thrown into showing

and demonstrating the capabilities

of this particular station

linked to a second station

just along the coast.

So I think the time is just about

right.

Our two stations are now sending out

pulses across the coast, like so...

..and waiting for an echo back...

..from something out there.

Something out there.

A formation of aircraft are right

now just turning towards us

and heading back in our direction.

They will be called the

Invading Force -

bombers, gentlemen,

which we shall detect,

heading our way, ready to drop their

deadly cargo upon our heads.

Just waiting here...

The invasionary force should be

due any minute...

Red leader, we are in position.

We've got them.

We've already heard them,

with our ears.

The Invading Force

have dropped their deadly cargo.

We are all dead.

As you can see, gentlemen, we're

having a slight technical

issue with our first demonstration.

So, if you'd like to avail yourself

of the light refreshments we've laid

on and we'll commence

with the second demonstration in 45

minutes.

Thank you.

Second demonstration?

I couldn't leave you hanging there, I

had to say something.

We're going to fail twice.

I've got a plan.

I've had concerns for some

time about this radio locator.

Yes, of course,

of course there are benefits

if it is proven to work,

but as we've just seen...

We didn't have time to

test our beautiful new receiver.

I don't think it works.

What are we doing?

Old faithful!

Shouldn't take long.

Will it work?

Honest answer...?

How is that Lindemann up to speed

on everything we do?

He asked about the five stations,

straightaway,

the moment he arrived.

Lindemann has been up to speed

on every problem we have ever had.

And why is it that the first

person to point out

the flaws in whatever we are

doing...always Higgy?

It's like he's looking for problems.

Do us a favour will you, lad?

Go fetch a roll of cable,

might as well wire up the

new one just in case.

Covering all bases?

Aye.

We know.

What?

You've been spying on us.

II don't know what you're

talking about.

It's treason.

They will hang you!

Lindemann said nothing would happen!

He said I had to do it,

that the safety of the nation

depended on it!

You compromised

the safety of the nation!

Sh, Rob. They're only in there.

I trusted you!

I want this to work as much as you.

No, you don't!

You go on about the problems,

how it's not going to work...

And if I hadn't we may not have found

the faults with it until it was too

late.

I want to help you build it, Rob!

You report everything back

to Lindemann.

You promised the impossible.

Did you really think they'd just

leave you to get on with it?

What is going on?

We can all hear a row.

Did you put a spy in my camp?!

Excuse me?

Is this just Lindemann or are

you in on it too?!

I have no idea what you're

talking about.

How much longer do you expect

the Air Chief Marshall to wait?

I'm sorry, sir. We'll be with you in

just a moment.

Two minutes.

Let us make this thing work!

Not you!

Your time is over!

Goodbye.

Chaps?

I am in favour of anything that

helps us win this war -

your failure helps no-one.

If you'll excuse us, gentlemen, it's

time we were heading back to London.

We've got a trace.

Basic on the visual display.

What range?

How far away are the aircraft?

63 miles.

It's working?

It's working.

We can see them 63 miles away.

Our sister base have confirmed

the sighting,

five aircraft, 63 miles out

heading in our direction.

That gives us 21 minutes to

scramble aircraft and intercept!

Gentlemen,

we have a castle in the sky.

Air Chief Marshall...

You must be very pleased?

I am indeed. Overwhelmed...indeed.

Thank you, Swingate, track 165.

Five aircraft heading north.

Congratulations.

Track 165. Range 58 miles

and closing.

Robert...

We are rather pleased

your radio locator is working.

Despite your efforts gathering

information against us?

Your mole...Higgy.

We don't need him any more.

Neither do I.

He's quite dispensable.

Our radio locator is imperfect,

as you know...

It's range is limited and

unreliable,

and the system's not yet

proven at low altitude.

We're working on that.

Germany is building new

aeroplanes - smaller,

lighter aircraft that can fly

lower -

they might just get

under your net.

You have to

prepare for such eventualities.

If you don't feel quite up to

it we can call in the right people.

There's no shame in handing

it over...

for the good of the country.

You have done your bit, Robert.

Have a think.

Robert?

We have to develop equipment

that could detect aircraft

at lower altitudes,

equipment that's smaller,

small enough to be mobile.

You've seen what we're working with -

it's the size of a kitchen.

We have to shrink it,

there's no other way.

We can't shrink it. Just look at the

size of the valves we're using.

We'll have to build smaller valves.

How?

I don't know yet.

MUSIC:
"Close Your Eyes"

by Al Bowlly

Close your eyes...

Close your eyes...

Hello?

'Robert?'

Is everything all right?

Everything's fine, yes.

I'm calling because I'm alone,

listening to the wireless,

'and Al Bowlly just came on'

and the you-not-being-here-ness

just hit me like a wave.

I'm listening to it.

You can hear it too?

'Yes, my darling.'

Dance with me.

Dance with you?

Yes.

'It'll feel like

we're together again.'

Come on.

'Close your eyes...'

and imagine.

'You're a magician, aren't you?

'Make the invisible visible?'

'I remember dancing with you

like this once - our wedding.

'All of them around us in a circle.

'All of them there yet none of them

there, just you and me.'

'I need you to hold me, Robert.

'I need you with me.'

Come home.

'Please.

'When all of this is over,

when all your work is done,'

come home, Robert.

Yes.

'I promise, Mags.'

'The BBC will soon be

broadcasting the world's first

'high-definition television service,

'their dual-system service.

'EMI's new high-frequency

405-line television system

'and Baird's new 240-lined standard

will be transmitting directly

'from London's Alexandra Palace to

your businesses and your customers.'

'Operator.'

Oxford 143, please.

Yes?

'Professor...

I need your help.'

Yes.

What's this about?

I don't know.

Hello?

Now, last night...

I was thinking of walking away,

handing the whole project over to

Lindemann and just going home.

And then I heard on the wireless

an advertisement

for these very expensive,

but wondrous televisions.

And...

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