The Day the Earth Stood Still Page #21

BARNHARDT:

Yes -- that is true.

KLAATU:

In the hands of a mature civilization,

these would not be considered weapons

of aggression. But in the hands of

your people--

(he shrugs and shakes

his head)

We've observed your aggressive

tendencies, and we don't trust you

with such power.

BARNHARDT:

(puzzled)

If you mean that you are afraid of

us--

KLAATU:

(with cool impressive

emphasis)

We want to be sure you don't make --

let us say -- an unfortunate mistake.

We know the potentiality of these

developments and we are disturbed to

find them in the hands of children...

You see, we've had atomic energy for

five thousand of your years.

(indicating the

telephone)

We discarded instruments like this

many centuries ago.

(he paces thoughtfully)

So long as you were limited to

fighting among yourselves -- with

your primitive tanks and planes --

we were unconcerned. But soon you

will apply atomic energy to space

ships -- and then you become a threat

to the peace and security of other

planets. That, of course, we cannot

tolerate.

BARNHARDT:

(thoughtful and

impressed)

These other planets -- do they have

peace and security?

KLAATU:

We had our atomic wars -- thousands

of years ago.

(he smiles wryly)

After that we fought with bows and

arrows. Then, slowly, we learned

that fighting is no solution -- that

aggression leads to chaos.

BARNHARDT:

(with deep conviction)

We scientists understand this. Even

we primitive scientists.

(Straightforwardly)

What exactly is the nature of your

mission, Mr. Klaatu?

KLAATU:

I came here to warn you that, by

threatening danger, your planet faces

danger -- very grave danger. I am

prepared, however, to offer a

solution.

BARNHARDT:

Would you care to be more specific?

KLAATU:

(evenly)

What I have to say must be said to

all concerned.

(with a suggestion of

deference to Barnhardt)

It is too important to be entrusted

to any individual.

Barnhardt is forced reluctantly to accept Klaatu's refusal

to go any further. After a moment's thought, he speaks

seriously, but with a twinkle in his eye.

BARNHARDT:

I gather that your efforts on the

official level were not entirely

successful.

KLAATU:

(sternly, as this

unpleasant episode

is recalled)

I come to you as a last resort --

and I confess that my patience is

wearing thin.

(with Jovian annoyance)

Must I take drastic action in order

to get a hearing?

BARNHARDT:

(uneasily)

What -- what sort of action do you

mean?

KLAATU:

Violent action -- since that seems

to be the only thing you people

understand.

(quietly)

Leveling the island of Manhattan,

perhaps -- or dropping the Rock of

Gibraltar into the sea.

Barnhardt stands staring at him for a moment, passes his

hand across his brow. Then, as Klaatu watches, Barnhardt

paces the floor, trying to digest what he has heard. After a

moment, he turns to Klaatu.

BARNHARDT:

Would you be willing to meet with

the group of scientists I am calling

together?. Perhaps you could explain

your mission to them, and they in

turn could present it to their various

peoples.

KLAATU:

(quietly, evenly)

That's what I came to see you about.

Barnhardt flings him a glance, then looks momentarily

sheepish. But his own eagerness carries him on. He paces the

floor thoughtfully.

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