The Thing from Another World Page #4

---

- This came an hour ago. Can you read it?

- No, you'd better.

- "Fogarty to Hendry:

Withhold newspaper story

until permission from Air Force HQ."

- There you are, Scotty.

- Fine. Now somebody else will get the story.

"Remove aircraft from ice at once. Use

thermite bombs if necessary to melt ice."

Oh, that's what I like about the Army.

Smart all the way to the top.

- That lets you off the hook for the thermite...

- Take it easy. Go ahead.

"Erect temporary structure to protect aircraft

until my arrival."

Here's another one. Came a few minutes ago.

Could only get part of it.

- Go ahead.

- "Everything grounded. Can't..." Something.

- "Want you..." Something or other...

- That sounds like Fogarty.

- Then it got fouled up.

- You're getting nothing?

Nothing. Static's knocking

it right out of the air.

- What about your stuff?

- Don't know if they're getting it. I doubt it.

I don't believe it.

Even the Pony Express got through.

- Well, doctor?

- In view of this new situation...

- Doesn't alter the old one.

- We disagree with you.

- There's no reason to delay...

- Sorry, gentlemen. That's it.

Tex, I'd like to leave Barnes

to help out all he can.

- Sure.

- Barnes, keep trying to get through.

I wanna get a message

to the general.

Tell him the aircraft was completely

destroyed by the thermite bomb.

- Tell him we found a passenger...

- A fellow from Mars? Where?

On ice, buddy.

Tell him the body's in ice

and Dr. Carrington wants permission...

...to remove the body

from the ice for examination.

We're standing by for instructions

before further action.

Yes, sir.

- You got anything to add, doctor?

- Yes, one very essential point.

That it's vitally important

that the examination be made.

- By all means. Yeah.

- Add that, Barnes.

Thank you, captain.

That's all that concerns me.

When you get your answer,

I expect you to let me know.

Yes, doctor.

Wait till I interview the doctor

about what he thinks of you.

- Probably be good.

- Lf it isn't, I'll make it good.

Tex, keep trying. Barnes, if he gets through,

ask again about clearing Mr. Scott.

Don't try to soft-soap me.

I don't like you any better.

- I'll eat with you, Eddie.

- I'll send you some chow.

Captain, I'm gonna check the ship

and tie her down. We'll need our gear.

- This storm may blow for weeks.

- Get the Eskimos to help.

They took off

when they saw that ice.

They'll need a lot of coaxing

to get them back.

If Mr. Scott and the lieutenant

would give me a hand...

- I'm a guest.

- I'm an officer.

You can order me around

while carrying the other end.

That'll help a lot, sarge.

You know, Pat? I thought

we were gonna have a little trouble.

- So did I.

- The geniuses were ready to tear you apart.

They're like kids drooling over

a new fire engine.

Professor Vorhees, come

to the laboratory as soon as possible.

- Holding a meeting. Whole thing's weird.

- You know what it reminds me of?

The time I was stuck on Beulen Island

with the old 97th bomber group.

An Army nurse came ashore

and caused the same disturbance...

...as this guy from Mars has here.

- What happened to the nurse?

She liked it there.

- Scotty, what's new?

- What's new? What more do you want?

Biggest story ever to hit this planet,

and I run into this human clam.

Why are you getting pretty?

You'll never look good to me.

- That's not for you...

- Take it easy.

The captain here passes the buck to

General Fogarty, he takes it to Washington.

- Who will Truman ask?

- Margaret.

- I've got to find a way to get to civilization.

- How, for instance?

I don't know. Pogo sticks. Kiddie cars.

Gondolas. Dogsleds.

- Hey, Barnes, any word come from Fogarty?

- Plenty. Nothing about you, sir.

I think the old man's gone crazy.

Sorry, sir. Shouldn't have said that.

- Lf he hollers louder, we won't need a radio.

- What was the gist of the conversation?

- There's been a leak, and the newspapers...

- I knew it! Like water through a sieve.

Everyone wants information,

Congress, Secretary of State...

...and especially General Fogarty.

He's having a fit.

- Isn't Anchorage picking us up?

- No, sir.

We're picking up them

because they have a stronger station.

A picture just came to me:

My editor climbing all over his office...

...yelling, stamping his feet.

He'll probably shoot himself by midnight.

- Take it easy, Scotty.

- Just a minute. I'm not sure you're ready.

You may have missed a spot.

Son, would you like

double guard duty tonight?

No, sir. I wouldn't.

- Oh, captain.

- Yes, sergeant?

- Could I see you for a minute, sir?

- Sure.

What is it, Bob?

It's about Lt. McPherson sitting in there

with that thing in the block of ice.

Getting nervous?

Well, he wouldn't want me to tell you, sir,

but he's having kittens.

I haven't heard him squawk like this

since Rechenberg.

Really?

You see, sir, the ice is clearing up,

and we can see that thing pretty good.

It's got crazy hands and no hair,

and the eyes...

- They're open and look like they can see.

- Bob, I haven't heard you...

It's got me too, sir,

and I wasn't in there very long.

Besides that, it's pretty cold.

I got the lieutenant an electric blanket.

- Captain, I got a suggestion.

- Go ahead.

Instead of four-hour shifts,

we could cut them in half...

Okay. You tell Barnes to take over

at 2200.

You take over at 2400,

and I'll relieve you at 0200.

- I think you're right, sir.

- I think you are.

Thank you, sir.

- I want to talk to you.

- Sure.

Pat, what's really going on?

Nothing. I just can't agree with your pals.

I had to set a guard.

They'd have that thing

up waltzing with them.

No, that isn't what I meant.

What does that boogeyman

in ice really mean?

I don't know, Nikki.

Well, does it mean that we'll have visitors

from other planets dropping in on us?

Do we have to return the call, or...?

Oh, jeepers.

- I know. Yesterday I'd said it was crazy.

- I'd say it's crazy now.

Forget it. Tomorrow it'll all seem different.

I suppose so. I like the way

you handled this whole mess, Pat.

I'd just as soon not.

You know, it's funny. I'm glad I was here.

I am too.

You're much nicer when you're...

When you're not mad.

Sounds promising. How about that

business of beginning over again?

Well, I think I'll buy you a drink this time.

I think you've earned it.

- That is, if you want one.

- You can tie my hands if you wanna.

- That might not be such a bad idea.

- You mean that?

- Well, you suggested it.

- All right. I'll bring a rope.

- You want another one, Pat?

- Don't you think you could untie me now?

I don't know. What's the matter?

You gals. If a guy asks you to dinner and

buys you a drink and tries to kiss you...

- Why are you laughing?

- You never kissed me.

- I haven't tried.

- How do you know?

- Oh, stop bringing that up.

- Never mind. You haven't. Maybe if you'd...

- Go on with what you were saying.

- What?

About the dinner and the drink.

Well, if the same man asked you

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote