Fantastic Voyage Page #11

The blip goes from one machine to the other, where it doesn't belong.

The Tracking Technician reacts, instantly presses a button.

239INT. CONTROL TOWER

A warning buzz from a TV Monitor. Reid and Carter respond to the

SOUND. The Communications Aide comes over to them.

COMMUNICATIONS AIDE

Proteus Off Course, sir. They've

picked up a blip in Quadrant 23,

Level B. Reid moves quickly to the

window overlooking the Main

Operations Room, followed by Carter.

240

241MAIN OPS ROOM - P.O.V. CONTROL TOWER

Both see the Grid Officer below move the replica of the sub from the

Carotid Artery to another channel near it within a quadrant marked 23.

The channel is outlined in blue.

REID:

(jolted)

They've crossed over into the

Jugular Vein!

CARTER:

That can't be -- there's no direct

connection between the two --

REID:

Normally not. Unless it's an

Arterio-Venous Fistula --

242INT. PROTEUS

Grant, Cora and Duval are grouped around Michaels at the chart. In the

distance, the endothelial walls of the Jugular Vein are vaguely

visible.

GRANT:

(blankly)

A what?

MICHAELS:

A forced joining of an Artery and

Vein. Must've happened when Benes

was hurt.

DUVAL:

Yes, a fistula too small to show up

on the X-rays.

CORA:

But big enough for us...

In the stream outside, the bluish corpuscles are increasing in number.

MICHAELS:

(up at Bubble)

Captain -- head back into the

Artery.

243INT. BUBBLE

As if it were a suicidal order:

OWENS:

(brooking no argument)

We could never fight that current

it's physically impossible.

MICHAELS' VOICE

(from below)

Then don't drift down further.

OWENS:

I'll do what I can.

As he manipulates the controls:

244INT. PROTEUS

GRANT:

If we can't go back, is there an

alternate route?

MICHAELS:

Yes... We can go forward on this

course, but it means going directly

through the Heart.

245INT. BUBBLE

Owens is appalled as he sees the route being traced on the Repeater,

down the Jugular Vein toward the Heart. Before it can go any further:

OWENS:

(alarmed)

We can't do that! We decided in the

Briefing -- the craft could never

stand the turbulence!

246INT. PROTEUS

Michaels looks up from the chart, to the others.

MICHAELS:

Yes, it would be a hundred times

worse than the whirlpool.

The others respond with grim realization of what it portends.

GRANT:

That's just dandy. We can't go

forward -- and we can't go back.

MICHAELS:

I'm afraid there's only one thing we

can do. Call off the mission.

CORA:

(emotionally)

Doctor...you can't mean that! Not

when we've come this far. And if we

give up, there'll be no way of

saving Mr. Benes --

DUVAL:

Dr. Michaels is right. We have no

choice.

MICHAELS:

(to Grant)

Tell them to take us out.

GRANT:

If there's any chance --

MICHAELS:

(an order)

Request removal, Mr. Grant.

As Grant moves to the wireless:

247INT. CONTROL TOWER

Carter and Reid are looking down into the MAIN OPS ROOM at the replica

of the Proteus. It is in the same position as last seen in the Jugular

Vein on the big grid.

REID:

But we have no choice! We've got, to

take them out!

CARTER:

(adamantly)

No...

He turns away from the window as a message is heard coming in. With

seeming unawareness of the incoming message, Carter looks at the

Minute Recorder, It is flashing .

CARTER:

We still have fifty-one minutes.

Leave them in.

REID:

But it's hopeless! They can't go

back and they can't go on. I tell

you there's nothing else we can do

but remove them!

CARTER:

(the final word)

Not until the very last second. We

must think of something... Something

to save the situation.

The incoming message stops. The Communications Aide takes it from the

Wireless Technician.

COMMUNICATIONS AIDE

(reading)

Proteus reports trapped in Venous

System. Requests removal, sir.

REID:

Well, there it is... What do I tell

them, General?

Carter turns his back on him, moves to the window, stands looking down

on the OPERATING ROOM. The scene below is almost a tableau, except for

the moving Miniature Tracking Devices. The Surgical Team around the

table stands watching, waiting. Benes lies motionless. Reid joins

Carter. As they both look down at the patient, whose only chance of

life is now in their hands:

CARTER:

(finally)

Doctor...without killing him -- how

long could we stop his heart?

REID:

The less time, the better.

CARTER:

I know that. But what's the maximum?

REID:

In his comatose state...and

everything slowed down...no more

than sixty seconds.

Carter takes out a slide rule.

CARTER:

(as he figures)

At topspeed...and adjusting distance

for Degree of Miniaturization --

(getting answer)

The sub should get through the Heart

in fifty-seven seconds.

REID:

That would give us only three

seconds to revive him...

CARTER:

What are the problems in stopping

the Heart?

REID:

Nothing -- compared to starting it

up again.

From the window, Carter can see the big Minute Recorder in the

Operating Room flashing from to .

CARTER:

We're wasting time, Colonel. Let's

get on with it.

The decision made, Reid takes command.

REID:

(to Technician)

Heart.

Technician presses monitor button. As Carter moves to the

Communications Aide, the HEART POST flashes on the TV screen.

REID:

(to Heart Post)

we're stopping

the Heart.

CARTER:

(to Communications Aide)

Message to Proteus.

Now both give their orders simultaneously. As Reid speaks, we can see

the HEART POST swing into action on the TV screen: the big X-rays of

Benes light up on panels, a CATHODE TUBE recording his heartbeat

becomes activated. The Heart Specialist and several Heart Technicians

are seen leaving the POST. Meanwhile, the Communications Aide is

taking down Carter's message for transmission.

CARTERREID:

You are heading in the An Arterio-Venous Fistula has

opposite direction of theforced the Proteus into the

Target Area, as a result ofVenous System. At this moment,

crossing over into the Jugularit is in the Lateral Cervical

Vein. Since you are in aRegion, anterior to the

closed system, you will haveanterior to the Cervical

to go through the Heart andPlexus. The haemo-dynamics of

proceed on your mission bythe Venous System are at

taking an alternate route. Weabsolutely minimum levels. It

will stop Benes' Heart forwould be fatal to further

exactly sixty seconds.decrease the rate of flow by

Maintaining maximum speed, youHypothermic means. In order to

will get through in fifty-minimize the turbulence, we

seven seconds. That will givewill have to arrest the Heart.

us three seconds to spare inThe Proteus will proceed to

which to revive him. Stand bythe entrance of the Right

for exact instructions --Atrium --

248-

250

251INT. OPERATING ROOM

Reid's Voice is heard as the Heart Technicians rig Benes for electric

shock with a Cardio-Verter. They are removing the top third of the

Thermal Blanket. When his chest is exposed, they apply electrodes to

it. Then the Technicians take their places at the various Cardiac

Instruments which are recording the pulse and configuration of the

heartbeat. The last is visible on the big cathode tube of the

Cardioscope, a replica of which was seen in the Heart Post.

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