The Time Machine Page #11

He starts off toward the sidewalk, the CAMERA

MOVING with him. At the descending subway stair-

way he stops and peers downward, but sees no one

below. Meanwhile, through a loudspeaker o.s.,

a melodious SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA is heard softly,

until a BURST OF CHORDS attracts the Time Traveller's

attention.

EXT. STORE WINDOW - FULL SHOT 119

A TELEVISION CABINET on display. The set is

operating, showing a huge symphony orchestra

led by one of the popular conductors of tomorrow.

The CAMERA SWINGS to the modern ENTRANCE of FILBY'S

DEPARTMENT STORE just as the Time Traveller reaches

the two broad glass doors. As he steps forward he

intercepts the rays of electronic eyes and the doors

fly wide open.

He stops startled, looking about to see who opened

them. Seeing no one, he starts slowly forward.

INT. DEPARTMENT STORE - LONG SHOT 120

From the TV set BLARES MUSIC that gradually becomes

the UNDERSCORE for the SCENE. The Time Traveller

enters and turns his attention to other products

of tomorrow -- refrigerators, vacuum cleaners,

reducing belts, etc. As his keen mind grasps the

significance of each, he smiles with approval, proud

of his fellow man. His delight increases until he

is interrupted by APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS. He looks

off.

REVERSE SHOT 121

Coming from the office is THE WARDEN, dressed in a

plastic suit. He also wears an armband and a white

crash helmet, both bearing the insignia of "Civilian

Defense." MUMBLES are heard from beneath his mask

as the CAMERA PANS him to the Time Traveller.

TIME TRAVELLER:

(shakes his head)

I can't understand you.

The warden takes off his helmet. He is David

Filby's son, James, whom we saw in 1917 as a young

man. He is now in his mid-sixties.

WARDEN:

(looking at helmet)

Confounded radio in this thing.

Makes more noise than it does sense.

TIME TRAVELLER:

(recognizing him)

Filby!

WARDEN:

My name is Mister Filby. - Didn't

you hear the air raid siren?

TIME TRAVELLER:

You mean that horrible screeching?

WARDEN:

It wasn't constructed for its

aesthetic values, you know, but to

warn silly young fools like yourself

to get down into the shelter. Now

go on.

TIME TRAVELLER:

But I'm perfectly comfortable and

I find your store magnificent. What

splendid achievements, what gigantic

strides mankind has taken, what...

WARDEN:

(interrupting)

Come on, young man. We'd better be

going before the mushrooms start

sprouting.

(looks at Time Traveller

with renewed interest)

You do look familiar. Haven't

we met somewhere before?

TIME TRAVELLER:

Indeed we have. Right here. Many

years ago.

WARDEN:

I was sure of that, but the exact

time escapes me.

TIME TRAVELLER:

It was two wars ago, I believe.

Nineteen seventeen.

WARDEN (awed)

Why now I recall. The chap who

inquired about my father -- and

the house that used to be across

the way.

(stops and stares at

the Time Traveller)

But no...that's impossible. You

haven't changed. You're not a day

older. And your clothes...

TIME TRAVELLER:

I'm afraid it's going to take me

a little time to explain... You see...

There is an insistent, EAR PIECING SIREN. It

lasts for three seconds.

WARDEN:

The last alert...hurry!

He grabs the Time Traveller by the arm and drags

him out.

ON THE STREET - FULL SHOT 122

They emerge from the store. The Time Traveller

pulls himself free.

TIME TRAVELLER:

Listen to me! It's important.

WARDEN (points to sky)

Look! An atomic satellite zeroing

in! That's important!!

The Warden runs, looks back over shoulder, calling.

WARDEN:

Hurry! Hide 'til the All Clear!

He descends into the air raid shelter.

CLOSE ON TIME TRAVELLER - MOVING SHOT 123

He looks puzzled.

TIME TRAVELLER:

All clear?

(yells)

I've got to talk to you.

The Time Traveller looks up as he hears the

APPROACHING SIRENS OF AN AMBULANCE. Alarmed,

he runs across the street directly in the path

of the ambulance that threads its way between the

cars left in disorder on the road. The driver

spins the steering wheel and the ambulance tilts

crazily in trying to avoid the Time Traveller.

Suddenly there is a BLINDING FLASH. He stops and

looks startled.

VIEW THROUGH THE STREETS - LONG SHOT - (STOCK, 124

MINIATURE, SPLIT)

A SATELLITE travels over the city in the distance.

The flash is followed by an EXPLOSION and a giant

cobalt mushroom begins to rise over the horizon.

BACK TO SCENE 125

As the Time Traveller tries again to rush toward

his Machine, the shockwaves reach him and throw him

to the ground. He looks back, desperately.

THE CITY - LONG SHOT - (MINIATURE) 126

Through the thick cloud of smoke and dust we see

the once proud city of the future in ruins. Only

a single, large structure in the f.g. remains stand-

ing for a moment, then it also collapses in an instant.

TIME TRAVELLER'S VOICE

The labor of centuries gone in an

instant.

The ground shudders with an OMINOUS sound and sudden

a great rent appears in the wide street ahead, as

though the earth were being torn apart. It zig-zags

down the street and from the widening fissure clouds

of smoke and steam rise.

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