The Day the Earth Stood Still Page #23

Klaatu steps aside as she hurries nervously into the dining

room. He turns, puzzled, to find Helen watching with a slight

smile.

KLAATU:

Everyone seems so--

(he shakes his hands

to indicate

nervousness)

HELEN:

Jittery is the word.

Helen watches him, a little uneasy in his presence. She is

fond of him, and she can't help being curious and concerned

about his brush with the police.

KLAATU:

(with a contemplative

smile)

Bobby's the only person I know who

isn't -- Jittery.

HELEN:

He has his homework to keep him

occupied.

KLAATU:

(fondly, sincerely)

He's a fine boy, Mrs. Benson.

HELEN:

Naturally I think so.

KLAATU:

Warm and friendly and intelligent--

(thoughtfully)

You know -- he's the only real friend

I've made since I've been here.

Helen is deeply moved by Klaatu's affection for the boy, She

tried to dismiss her curiosity about him, but she can't. She

decides to face it.

HELEN:

(hesitantly and with

some difficulty)

Mr. Carpenter -- this is none of my

business, but -- why did that

detective come here last night?

KLAATU:

(with easy frankness)

Oh -- they just wanted to ask me a

few questions. Bobby and I tried to

see Professor Barnhardt in the

afternoon, but he wasn't in.

Apparently they thought I was looking

for secrets of some kind.

Helen has reacted in puzzlement at this second mention of

Barnhardt. They are interrupted by the ringing of the

doorbell. Helen goes to answer it.

INT. HALLWAY

as Helen opens the front door to admit Tom. He appears

impatient, anxious to get going.

HELEN:

Hello--

TOM:

You ready?

HELEN:

I will be in just a minute.

TOM:

(a little annoyed

that she hasn't her

coat on, he consults

his watch)

The picture starts at eight-fifty.

HELEN:

(in explanation)

I was talking to Mr. Carpenter.

TOM:

(lightly, but with

real sarcasm

underneath)

I hope Mr. Carpenter won't think I'm

intruding.

Helen tries to shush him, to indicate Klaatu is in the next

room, when Klaatu appears in the doorway. He must have heard

Tom's remark, and there is an awkward moment. Klaatu is

completely unperturbed, but Helen is embarrassed.

KLAATU:

Excuse me. I was just going up to my

room.

HELEN:

(guiltily)

Goodnight, Mr. Carpenter.

Klaatu stops and turns to face them pleasantly.

KLAATU:

Have a good time -- both of you.

He goes on up the stairs. Helen steers Tom toward the living

room.

HELEN:

Why don't you wait in here while I

get my things?

INT. LIVING ROOM

As they enter from the hall, Helen turns to Tom reproachfully.

HELEN:

(quietly)

Oh, Tom, that was awful.

TOM:

(momentary apologetic)

I'm sorry. I guess I'm just tired of

hearing about Mr. Carpenter.

(Helen shushes him)

I don't like the way he's attached

himself to you and Bobby. After all,

what do you know about him?

This touches on Helen's own private doubts, and she cannot

answer.

HELEN:

I'll go get my things.

She turns quickly and goes into the hall and hurries up the

stairs. Tom looks after her, dismissing the matter with a

shake of the head and a philosophical sigh. Of such stuff

are women made.

INT - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY

Helen reaches the top of the stairs, crosses to her room and

grabs a coat off the bed. She's putting it on as she moves

down the hall to Bobby's room, the door of which is open.

INT. BOBBY'S ROOM

Bobby is at a table doing his homework and Klaatu has just

finished explaining an arithmetic problem to him, as Helen

enters, still putting on her coat.

KLAATU:

(about to leave)

All you have to remember is, first

find the common denominator -- then

subtract.

BOBBY:

Thanks, Mr. Carpenter.

KLAATU:

(to Helen, pleasantly)

I'll say goodnight again.

Helen is embarrassed. She would like to apologize for the

awkwardness downstairs but she doesn't quite know how to go

about it.

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