The Day the Earth Stood Still Page #19

The lieutenant shifts in his chair, annoyed that he has to

deal with this madman. He glances at a report on his desk,

trying to control his impatience.

LIEUTENANT:

Your name's Carpenter -- that right?

(Klaatu nods)

Any identification, Mr. Carpenter?

Driver's license -- social security

number?

KLAATU:

No -- I'm afraid not.

LIEUTENANT:

Well, how do I know who you are?

KLAATU:

(secretly amused)

You don't.

The Lieutenant is turning away in exasperation as a uniformed

cop comes into the scene.

COP:

Excuse me, Lieutenant --

(pointing offscene)

The Doc says this man needs treatment

right away.

MED. SHOT

A man about forty-five, bloodied and badly beaten, is being

supported and half-carried by two policemen. A police doctor

is guiding them to a doorway, near which is a sign INFIRMARY.

The man is almost unconscious, incapable even of holding up

his head.

MED. CLOSE SHOT - AT LIEUTENANT'S DESK

LIEUTENANT:

What's the story?

COP:

Some fella caught him lookin' in a

window and figured he was the space

man. The whole neighborhood went

crazy and they ganged up on him.

Would have killed him if we hadn't

come along... Turns out he was just

a prowler.

The Lieutenant grimaces his disgust and impatience with mob

violence.

LIEUTENANT:

Okay -- book him and get him fixed

up.

(the cops nods and

goes, and the

Lieutenant growls as

he turns back to

Klaatu and the

Detective)

Looks like everybody's goin' nuts.

KLAATU:

(appalled by what he

has seen and heard)

They would have killed this man?

LIEUTENANT:

(gruffly)

People get hysterical enough, they

do anything.

(impatiently)

Look, Mr. Carpenter -- if you can't

identify yourself, I got to send you

over to the Army.

KLAATU:

(pretending impatience,

but actually growing

concerned)

How long will that take?

LIEUTENANT:

They can tell right away. They've

got a couple of doctors who saw this

man in the hospital.

(to the Detective)

Take him over to G2.

Really concerned now, Klaatu tries to find a way out. He

attempts an authoritative air.

KLAATU:

It's very important, Lieutenant,

that I see Professor Barnhardt.

DETECTIVE:

Come on, Mr. Carpenter--

Shaking off the Detective's hand, Klaatu speaks to the

Lieutenant.

KLAATU:

May I suggest that you call the

Professor?

LIEUTENANT:

(all patience gone)

Get going, will you, Brady -- before

I get mad!

The Detective takes Klaatu's arm and leads him toward the

door. As they go they pass a Military Police Captain, who

makes his way straight to the Lieutenant's desk.

EXT. POLICE STATION - TWO SHOT - KLAATU AND DETECTIVE

as they come out of the station. Klaatu hesitates a moment,

looks around. His face reveals nothing, but he seems to be

momentarily considering the idea of making a break. The

Detective, sensitive to such a possibility, hooks his arm

under Klaatu's and nods his head toward the sidewalk in silent

command. Klaatu allows himself to be led off.

MED. SHOT

as the Detective leads Klaatu across the sidewalk to the

curb, where a police car is standing. Parked just behind it

is an Army staff car.

MED. CLOSE SHOT - ENTRANCE TO POLICE STATION

as the M.P. Captain appears in the entrance, accompanied by

the Police Lieutenant. They see Klaatu and the Detective

approaching the police car and hurry out of scene after them.

MED. CLOSE SHOT - AT POLICE CAR

LIEUTENANT:

(to the Detective)

Wait a minute, Brady--

(indicating orders in

his hand)

The Captain here's got orders from

General Cutler to take this man over

to Professor Barnhardt.

M.P. CAPTAIN

(to Klaatu firmly but

respectfully)

Will you come with me, Sir?

MED. SHOT

as Klaatu gets out of the police car and the Captain escorts

him toward the staff car. Passing the Lieutenant, Klaatu

speaks with a polite smile, a smile that might be one of

mild triumph.

KLAATU:

Sorry to trouble you, Lieutenant.

Rate this script:1.9 / 8 votes