Inside 'The Swarm' Page #4

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that we found.

Notice the 18-vein intersection

on the forewing...

...and the 17 separate angles

of the hamuli.

Only one bee has that configuration...

...and that is the African killer bee.

Major.

Dr. Hubbard...

...I would appreciate it if you would

head up our environmental team.

Dr. Newman will be in charge

of the genetic counterattack.

Dr. Krim will try to develop

a mass antidote...

...to save the lives

of future victims.

Because of the danger to nearby

Marysville, if the bees attack...

...l've invited Mayor Tuttle and

School Superintendent Ms. Schuster...

...to attend this briefing.

Any comment?

Mayor Tuttle.

Thank you.

In view of what you've told us,

I'll set up a town council meeting.

I'll see that our air-raid

warning system is repaired.

It hasn't worked in some time.

If the bees come back, at least we can

warn people to take shelter.

A very practical approach.

Ms. Schuster.

The idea of those killer bees

coming back is petrifying.

I'll alert all my teachers

to be prepared for the worst.

I appreciate your thoughtfulness

in asking us to this briefing.

- Thank you, Dr. Crane.

- You're welcome, Ms. Schuster.

Any further comment?

What's our timetable?

Eight-hour shifts, round the clock.

I meant, what's the length

of our program?

How long can we expect to be here?

Until we have destroyed

the African bee...

...or it has destroyed us.

Psst! Hey!

- You guys ready?

- Yeah!

- Give me the binoculars and let's go.

- Okay.

- Morning!

- Hi, boys!

Morning, Rita.

Morning, Mr. Austin.

Instead of the usual,

I'll just have coffee.

- All right.

- I'll get it, Rita.

Morning, Felix!

I would think you'd let her

have some time off.

At least let her go

to the missile base...

...and pick up Jerry's things.

I told her!

I even said to her, "Rita...

...go home for a few days

and pull yourself together."

And she said:

"If I went home, and stared at them

four walls, knowing Jerry's gone...

...l'm just liable to take his

service pistol and blow my head off."

She's better off

pretending it never happened.

Pretending them killer bees

never got up here.

I bet I can guess what schoolteacher

them roses belong to.

You don't need no crystal ball

for that.

The way I hear it,

Maureen is favoring you over Clarence.

- I sure am counting on it.

- Yes, sir.

The odds have shifted in your favor.

Now, them is my kind of odds.

- I gotta be going.

- So soon?

- Yeah, but I'll be seeing you.

- Have a good day.

- Oh, Maureen.

- Morning, Felix.

- I got you some roses.

- Oh, Felix. They are lovely.

I usually get apples.

Oh, Maureen. I...

Something wrong, Felix?

I'm not too good with words...

...but I am a retired

master mechanic...

...and my education, well...

...it's all in these hands.

And I know you know

what I'm trying to say.

Your roses speak for you.

Most eloquently.

Thank you.

And I'm mindful of it.

Then there is hope for me?

Oh, look at the time.

I'd better hurry.

How'd it look for me to be late?

Let me help you.

And I'll keep your roses near me.

- As a reminder.

- Thank you.

- I'll see you real soon.

- You will.

- Bye.

- Bye.

We'll come back later.

We have to plan this just right.

These aren't just any old bees.

This is Anne MacGregor.

We're heading for Marysville

to investigate a report...

... of a savage bee attack.

A mother and father are dead,

and their son is injured.

My next report...

- Kill it.

- Yes, sir.

We've picked up a huge swarm.

This puts it only 200 miles

from Houston.

I have choppers ready.

We'll eliminate them.

- With what?

- Airborne chemical agents.

May we talk? Alone?

Sure.

We didn't discuss using chemicals.

Now, listen.

My orders are to assist you

in your scientific endeavors...

...not to consult you

on military matters...

...which are none of your

damn concern, sir!

General, please.

These bees are of joint concern.

They kill Americans without regard for

whether or not they should salute you.

There will be no airdrops

until I give the okay.

Your okay, huh?

Then perhaps I can persuade you

to attack this particular swarm.

Now we know where it is.

Attack and eliminate it!

Possibly, if you can explain to me...

...how you airdrop chemicals

without killing native insects.

If you kill the African bee

you'll also kill the American.

Better a few American bees than

a lot of American people.

That is the point, general!

The honey bee

is vital to the environment!

In America, they pollinate

six billion dollars' worth of crops!

Killing the bee kills the crop!

Killing the plant kills the people!

No! No, general!

There will be no airdrop until

we know what we're dropping...

...and where and how!

Excuse me.

What about the airdrop, sir?

Sir?

- The 0430 mark.

- Okay. Stand by, activating.

- Jerry, do you hear what I'm hearing?

- Yeah.

What is it?

Sounds like a couple million

chain saws!

- That came from the corridor.

- I'll go look.

Jerry! Behind you!

My God!

Oh, God, no! No!

Come on, let's get them!

We've got to kill them this time!

Ready, now!

Let's get out of here!

I can't imagine where he's gone.

We've looked everywhere.

He's been running a fever.

I got him to the clinic after

the funeral, but then he disappeared.

We'll find him.

With everything else you have on your

shoulders, you didn't need this.

I know I'm taking you away

from all your responsibilities.

Paul is one of them.

Besides, I like being with you.

You're the one good thing

that's happened to me.

I like that. I really do.

What is it?

Look.

The bees.

They're heading toward Marysville.

- I'll beat you outside!

- No, you won't.

Now, Miss Cook?

In a minute, Mr. Tuttle.

- Is this what you want?

- No, I need a note from your mother.

- Now, Mr. Tuttle.

- Thank you.

Would you excuse me?

That'd be all right.

Well, Clarence,

who's minding the store?

Maureen, how long

have we known each other?

- Maybe you'd better sit down.

- No, thanks, I'll stand. How long?

I remember you in short pants...

...but I don't wanna figure out

how long ago that was.

In all that time,

have you ever heard me beg?

Not you, Clarence.

You're a high-spirited,

independent soul.

Well, Maureen, I'm willing to beg now.

Yes? Blue will do.

Where was I? Oh, yes.

Maureen, I want you to marry me.

Oh, Clarence, do sit down.

Name the date and I'll make

all the arrangements.

- I'm not sure I'm the wife you need.

- You'd be the best wife in the world.

I think I'm already married,

completely married to this school.

Maureen, I love you.

People think I'm just an old man

behind the aspirin counter...

...but in my heart I'm as young

as I ever was, maybe younger.

And I want to take care of you.

Thank you, Clarence.

Well, I guess I have to choose,

don't I?

I guess that's about

what it comes down to.

Please hold the calls.

I know I may not win out...

...because, though I pretend

I can't stand Felix...

...I know he's a fine man

and he'd make a good husband.

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