The Day the Earth Stood Still Page #6

KLAATU:

I mean the reasons for my coming

here.

HARLEY:

(his eagerness apparent)

We're very curious about that, too.

Would you care to talk about it?

KLAATU:

I'd be glad to.

(noticing that Harley

is settling himself

expectantly)

Not now, of course -- with you alone.

HARLEY:

Perhaps you'd rather discuss it

personally with the President--

KLAATU:

(somewhat sharply)

This is not a personal matter, Mr.

Harley. It concerns all the people

on your planet.

HARLEY:

(Startled by the scope

of this statement)

I -- I'm not sure I understand--

KLAATU:

I want to meet with representatives

from all the nations of the Earth.

HARLEY:

(shocked and perturbed

by this notion)

I'm afraid that would be a little

awkward. It's -- it's completely

without precedent. And there are

practical considerations -- the time

involved -- the enormous distances.

KLAATU:

(coolly)

I traveled 250 million miles. What

about your United Nations?

HARLEY:

(Surprised and a little

puzzled)

You know about the United Nations?

KLAATU:

We've been monitoring your radio

broadcasts for a good many years.

That's how we learned your languages.

Lately, we've been getting your

television also.

HARLEY:

(wryly)

You must have a rather strange

impression of us.

KLAATU:

(smiling)

The first two years of television we

were convinced that all you did was

wrestle.

Harley smiles. Then his mind reverts to the seriousness of

the situation and he speaks gravely.

HARLEY:

I'm sure you recognize from our broad-

casts the evil forces that have

produced the tension in our world.

Surely you would agree--

KLAATU:

(evenly)

I am not concerned, Mr. Harley, with

the internal affairs of your planet.

I consider that to be your business --

not mine.

HARLEY:

I was only hoping to make you

understand.

KLAATU:

(sternly, impressively)

My mission here is not to solve your

petty squabbles. It concerns the

existence of every last creature who

lives on Earth.

HARLEY:

(uncomfortably)

Perhaps if you could explain a little--

KLAATU:

I intend to explain. To all the

nations -- simultaneously.

(his manner precludes

opposition)

How do we proceed, Mr. Harley?

Harley is thoroughly shaken. The tremendous force and power

implicit in Klaatus's manner preclude the possibility of

argument.

HARLEY:

(after a long

thoughtful moment)

We could call a special meeting of

the General Assembly... But of course

the UN doesn't represent all of the

nations.

KLAATU:

Then why not a meeting of all the

Chiefs of State?

HARLEY:

(helplessly, but

patiently)

Believe me, you don't understand.

They wouldn't sit down at the same

table.

Growing a little impatient with such nonsense, Klaatu eyes

him evenly, speaks with Jovian authority.

KLAATU:

I don't want to resort to threats,

Mr. Harley. I simply tell you bluntly

that the future of your planet is at

stake... I suggest you transmit that

message to the nations of the Earth.

The eyes of the two men meet for a long, silent moment. Then

Harley rises quietly.

HARLEY:

I will make that recommendation to

the President.

(he picks up his brief

case and hat)

I must tell you in all honesty that

I'm extremely dubious about the

results.

KLAATU:

(with a half-smile)

Apparently I'm not as cynical about

Earth's people as you are.

HARLEY:

I've been dealing in Earth's politics

a good deal longer than you have.

(he bows)

Goodnight, sir.

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