The Day the Earth Stood Still Page #10

FULL SHOT:

The landlady, a stern-faced woman of middle age, named MRS.

CROCKETT, rises nervously and crosses to the television set.

MRS. CROCKETT

(tensely)

I can't stand any more of this. It's

enough to drive a person crazy.

She snaps off the set sharply.

TWO SHOT:

BOBBY BENSON, a bright-eyed, eleven-year-old, is seated beside

his mother, HELEN BENSON, an attractive girl of thirty.

Disappointed that the set has been turned off, Bobby's roving

eye has fallen on something in the doorway to the hall...

Wide-eyed, he nudges his mother and points.

BOBBY:

Hey, Mom -- who's that?

FULL SHOT:

including the doorway to the hall. Silhouetted motionless

against the light from the hall is the figure of a man. All

eyes follow Hobby's pointed finger, and there is a stifled

gasp as they are startled out of their preoccupation. One of

the men turns on the lights and Klaatu is revealed standing

calmly in the doorway. There is a shocked silence for a

moment, then Mrs. Crockett speaks.

MRS. CROCKETT

(apologizing nervously

for the tension in

the room)

I -- I'm sorry. What is it you want?

KLAATU:

My name is Carpenter. I'm looking

for a room.

There is a noticeable letdown in the general tension, during

which Booby has been studying Klaatu, his imagination working

overtime.

BOBBY:

Are you an FBI man?

KLAATU:

No -- I'm afraid not.

Helen has stepped forward to make Bobby desist.

BOBBY:

Bet he is, Mom. Bet he's out looking

for that space man.

HELEN:

(with an apologetic

smile at Klaatu)

I think we've all been hearing too

much about "space men."

Mrs. Crockett reverts to her role as landlady. She likes to

think of her house as a home.

MRS. CROCKETT

(starting the

introductions with

Helen)

This is Mrs. Benson, Mr. Carpenter.

(with a smile that

would split a brick)

And little Bobby.

(indicating a middle-

aged couple and a

younger but more

wizened man)

Mr. and Mrs. Barley -- and Mr.

Krull... I'm Mrs. Crockett.

There are polite noddings and how-do-you-do's. Mrs. Crockett

is satisfied that she's established a cozy atmosphere.

MRS. CROCKETT

(pleased to the point

of challenge)

Well -- this is our little family.

(then, getting down

to business)

I have a very nice room on the second

floor.

She leads the way toward the hall and Klaatu starts to follow,

picking up his suitcase, when he is intercepted by Bobby.

BOBBY:

Can I help you look for the space

man? Can I?

(excitedly)

I know what he looks like! He's got

a square head -- and, three great

big eyes!

HELEN:

(good-naturedly,

calming him down)

That's enough, Bobby. I think it's

time you went to bed.

MRS. CROCKETT

(to Bobby, with a

prop smile)

We mustn't annoy Mr. Carpenter -- or

he won't want to stay here. She goes

on into the hall, followed by Klaatu,

who has exchanged a polite smile

with Helen.

INT. HALLWAY

as Mrs. Crockett leads the way up the stairs.

MRS. CROCKETT

He's really a dear little boy -- and

quiet as a mouse.

(with a shrewd, chatty

smile)

You're a long way from home, aren't

you, Mr. Carpenter?

KLAATU:

How did you know?

MRS. CROCKETT

(pleased with her

cleverness)

Oh, I can tell a New England accent

a mile away.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BOARDINGHOUSE - DINING ROOM - DAY

Five of the boarders -- Mr. and Mrs. Barley, Mr. Krull, Helen

Benson and Klaatu - are finishing their Sunday morning

breakfast. Mrs. Barley is a middle-class Helen Hokinson lady,

form and unrelenting. Her husband is a born complainer. Mr.

Krull is a shriveled little accountant, precise and finicky.

As they finish their coffee, all except Helen are immersed

in the Sunday papers. Helen seems preoccupied with her own

thoughts. From a portable radio on the table comes Gabriel

Heater's voice.

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