The Day the Earth Stood Still Page #8

FIRST MAJOR:

Afternoon, Mr. Harley.

HARLEY:

Afternoon, gentlemen.

Harley goes to the door of Klaatu's room, a businesslike

expression on his face. He knocks on the door, then enters.

The M.P. remains in the sitting room.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - FULL SHOT - DAY

as Harley enters. Klaatu is up out of bed, walking around in

a Medical Corps robe and pajamas. He appears to be completely

recovered.

HARLEY:

Good afternoon.

(surprised not to

find him in bed)

I'm glad to see you up and around.

KLAATU:

Thank you... Have you any news?

HARLEY:

Not very good news, I'm afraid.

(digs into his

briefcase for some

papers)

The President accepted your suggestion

and cabled the invitations for a

meeting last night.

(grimly)

Let me read you some of the replies.

(he selects a cable

and reads)

"The Premier wishes to inform the

Government of the United States that

it will be impossible for him to

attend the meeting suggested by the

President unless the meeting is held

in Moscow."

(with a grimly-pointed

glance at Klaatu,

Harley reads another

cable)

"The suggestion of the President

regarding the possibility of a meeting

in Moscow would be unacceptable to

Her Majesty's Government at the

present time. Representation could

be sent only if the meeting were

held in Washington."

(he looks up at Klaatu

and shrugs)

Well -- there you have it.

Harley extends a sheaf of cables for Klaatu's inspection,

but he ignores them. Klaatu has listened to this recital,

first incredulously, then with mounting indignation. Conscious

of his quiet, Olympian wrath, Harley continues uncomfortably.

HARLEY:

I tried to make you understand. The

suspicions -- the jealousies -- the

mistrust--

(uneasily, under

Klaatu's level gaze)

Surely you realize that my government

has done everything in its power--

KLAATU:

It's not your government I'm thinking

about. It's your world.

HARLEY:

Now that you understand the situation

more clearly, perhaps you'd like to

discuss the matter with the President

KLAATU:

(sternly)

I will not speak to any one nation

or group of nations.

(sharply, bitterly)

I don't intend to add my contribution

to your childish jealousies and

suspicions.

HARLEY:

Our problems are very complex, Mr.

Klaatu. You mustn't judge us too

harshly.

KLAATU:

I can judge only by what I see.

HARLEY:

Your impatience is quite

understandable.

KLAATU:

(sharply)

I am impatient with stupidity. My

people have learned to live without

it.

HARLEY:

(ruefully)

I'm afraid my people haven't.

(with real sincerity)

I'm very sorry -- I wish it were

otherwise.

Reluctantly Harley has picked up his hat and brief case. He

finds Klaatu staring out the window.

CLOSE SHOT - KLAATU

As he looks out the window thoughtfully. What he sees has

given him an idea.

MED. SHOT - HOSPITAL GROUNDS

shooting down, from Klaatu's viewpoint, at people strolling

about the hospital grounds. Most of them are civilian

visitors, but there is a sprinkling of nurses and ambulatory

patients.

FULL SHOT - HOSPITAL ROOM

As Klaatu turns back to Harley, he speaks thoughtfully,

incisively.

KLAATU:

Before making any decisions, I think

I should get out among your people --

become familiar with the basis for

these strange, unreasoning attitudes.

HARLEY:

Under the circumstances I'm afraid

that will be impossible.

Harley has paused near the door, a little embarrassed by

Klaatu's level gaze.

HARLEY:

I must ask that you don't attempt to

leave the hospital. Our military

people have insisted on this. I'm

sure you'll understand.

With a polite nod, he goes out. Klaatu stares after him as

he realizes that he is in effect a prisoner. He shakes his

head slowly, thoughtfully. The ways of this planet are strange

indeed.

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