The Day the Earth Stood Still Page #11

GABRIEL HEATER'S VOICE

--and so, this Sunday morning, we

ask the question that's been plaguing;

the entire nation for two days now:

"Where is this creature and what is

he up to?" If he can build a space

ship that can fly to Earth -- and a

robot that can destroy our tanks and

guns -- what other terrors can he

unleash at will? ...Obviously we

must find this monster. We must track

him down like a wild animal and

destroy him.

INSERT - NEWSPAPER PAGE IN MRS. BARLEY'S HANDS

It is a full page layout, in the style of the American Weekly,

showing a demented artist's conception of a mass invasion of

space ships. Weird-looking creatures are slaughtering Earth

people with ray guns. The caption at the top of the image

reads:
"Are We Long For This World?" (Gabriel Heater's voice

continues uninterruptedly over this and the next two scenes.)

CLOSE SHOT - KLAATU

He is reading his paper with considerable interest.

INSERT - NEWSPAPER STORY

The third-page story reads: SAVANT CALLS MEETING TO STUDY

SPACE SHIP. Professor Jacob Barnhardt, world-famous scientist

and Nobel Prize winner, has invited fellow scientists from

all over the world to meet with him in Washington and study

the recently landed "Space Ship."

CLOSE SHOT - KLAATU

His face is thoughtful as he finishes reading. This story

seems to impress and interest him. Then suddenly he finds

his attention caught at what the Radio Voice is saying.

GABRIEL HEATER'S VOICE

But where would such a creature hide

himself? Would he disappear into the

north woods? Or would he slither off

into the sewers of some great city?

Klaatu has a reaction of affronted dignity at this monstrously

distasteful idea.

GROUP SHOT:

AS THE RADIO VOICE CONTINUES:

GABRIEL HEATER'S VOICE

There is grave danger -- everyone

agrees to that. The question is what

can we do to protect ourselves? What

measures can we take that will--

During the above, Mrs. Barley has turned to her husband in

sharp annoyance.

MRS. BARLEY

George, I wish you'd turn that radio

off. I'm trying to concentrate.

Mr. Barley reaches out and snaps off the radio.

MR. BARLEY

(snorting, he tosses

his paper down)

Why doesn't the Government do

something -- that's what I want to

know.

MR. KRULL

(mildly)

What can they do? They're only people --

Just like us.

MR. BARLEY

People my foot! They're Democrats!

MR. KRULL

It's enough to give you the shakes.

He's got that robot standing there --

ten-foot tall -- just waiting for

orders to destroy us.

HELEN:

(thoughtfully)

This space man -- or whatever he is.

We automatically assume he's a

menace... Maybe he isn't at all.

MR. BARLEY

(glaring at her for

this silly notion)

Then what's he hiding for? Why doesn't

he come out in the open?

MR. KRULL

Yeah.

(indicating the radio)

Like the fella says: "What's he up

to?"

HELEN:

Maybe he's afraid.

MRS. BARLEY

(with a derisive snort)

He's afraid!

HELEN:

After all, he was shot the moment he

landed here.

(she pauses for a

moment thoughtfully)

I was just wondering what I would

do.

KLAATU:

(to Helen, helpfully)

Perhaps before deciding on a course

of action, you'd want to know more

about the people here -- to orient

yourself in a strange environment.

MRS. BARLEY

(sharply)

There's nothing strange about

Washington, Mr. Carpenter.

KLAATU:

(quietly, tongue in

cheek)

A person from another planet might

disagree with you.

MRS. BARLEY

If you want my opinion, he came from

right here on Earth.

(with significant

emphasis)

And you know where I mean.

MR. KRULL

They wouldn't come in a space ship.

They'd come in airplanes.

MRS. BARLEY

(as though with

superior knowledge)

I wouldn't be so sure about that.

Rate this script:1.9 / 8 votes