The Day the Earth Stood Still Page #20

The Lieutenant reacts with impatient exasperation as the

Captain holds the staff car door open for Klaatu, who steps

into the Army vehicle, as we--

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. HALLWAY - BARNHARDT'S HOUSE - NIGHT

as the M.P. Captain and Klaatu enter the front door, which

is held open for then by Hilda. She gestures them toward the

half-open door of Barnhardt's study, where Barnhardt can be

seen puzzling over the problem on the blackboard. The Captain

knocks on the open door to attract his attention and enters

with Klaatu.

INT. BARNHARDT'S STUDY

Barnhardt turns from his deep preoccupation at the blackboard,

chalk in hand.

M.P. CAPTAIN

This is the man you wanted to see,

Professor.

BARNHARDT:

(studying Klaatu

curiously)

Thank you, Captain.

M.P. CAPTAIN

I'll wait outside.

He steps out into the hall, closing the door. Barnhardt

continues to study Klaatu for a moment, then points to the

notations he made on the blackboard. There is a controlled

but anxious excitement in Barnhardt's attitude.

BARNHARDT:

You wrote this?

KLAATU:

(nodding easily)

It was a clumsy way to introduce

myself -- but I understand you're a

difficult man to see.

(glancing at the

blackboard

reproachfully)

I thought you'd have the solution by

this time.

BARNHARDT:

Not yet. That's why I wanted to see

you.

Klaatu glances at the work Barnhardt has been doing on the

board. Then he points to one of the expressions in an

equation.

KLAATU:

All you have to do now is substitute

this expression--

(pointing to a specific

place)

--at this point.

Impressed and interested, Barnhardt tugs at his chin as he

studies and weighs the results.

BARNHARDT:

(slowly, thoughtfully)

Yes -- that will reproduce the first-

order terms. But what about the effect

of the other terms?

KLAATU:

Almost negligible... With variation

of parameters, this is the answer.

BARNHARDT:

How can you be so sure? Have you

tested this theory?

KLAATU:

(with a slight smile)

I find it works well enough to get

me from one planet to another.

(Barnhardt stares at

him blankly)

I understand you've called a meeting

to study our space ship.

BARNHARDT:

As though unsure of what he's heard)

Yes -- yes, I have.

KLAATU:

My name is Klaatu.

(noting that

Barnhardt's expression

is changing from

amazement to

incredulity)

I spent two days at your Walter Reed

Hospital. Room 309. My doctor's name

was Major White -- and I had a very

attractive nurse called Ruth, who's

getting married next Wednesday.

(Klaatu waits for

this to sink in,

then speaks with

quiet authority)

If you are not interested -- or if

you intend to turn me over to your

Army -- we needn't waste any more

time.

Barnhardt hesitates for a long, thoughtful moment. Then he

goes to the door, opens it and speaks to the Captain outside.

BARNHARDT:

(to the Captain, his

voice a little

unsteady)

You can go now, Captain. Please thank

General Cutler and tell him -- tell

him that I know this gentleman.

Barnhardt closes the door and turns to find Klaatu watching

him with a faint smile. Barnhardt sinks into a chair, trying

to adjust his mind.

KLAATU:

(dryly)

You have faith, Professor Barnhardt

BARNHARDT:

It isn't faith that makes good

science, Mr. Klaatu. Its curiosity.

(unable to conceal

his interest)

Sit down, please. I have several

thousand questions to ask you.

KLAATU:

(ignoring the

invitation)

I would like to explain something of

my mission here.

BARNHARDT:

That was my first question.

KLAATU:

(with some bitterness)

It was my intention to discuss this

officially -- with all the nations

of the Earth -- but I was not allowed

the Opportunity. I have come to

realize since that your mutual fears

and suspicions are merely the normal

reactions of a primitive society.

(gathering his thoughts)

We know from scientific observation

that you have discovered a rudimentary

kind of atomic energy. We also know

that you are experimenting with

rockets.

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