The Time Machine Page #18

WEENA:

I do not understand you, but I

believe you.

TIME TRAVELLER:

That's a good start. - Now try to

tell me...who or what are the Morlocks?

(Weena looks at him blankly)

Are they people or animals?

(her expression remains unchanged)

What do you know about yourself? The

past? Don't your people ever speak

of the past?

WEENA:

There is no past.

TIME TRAVELLER:

Don't you ever wonder about the future?

WEENA:

There is no future.

ANOTHER ANGLE 226

The Time Traveller is staring into the fire stirring

the glowing embers as he speaks slowly and with

compassion, hoping to arouse some feeling within

her, even though she may not grasp the meaning of

the words.

TIME TRAVELLER:

Man's past is mainly a grim struggle

for survival, but there have been

moments when a few voices have spoken

up. These rare moments have made the

history of man a glorious thing. I

refuse to believe it is dead and gone.

We've had our dark ages before and

this is only another of them. All

you need is for someone to show you

the way out. - I'm only a tinkering

mechanic, but there must be this

hidden spark in one of your people.

If I can only kindle that spark, my

coming here will have some meaning.

During his speech Weena has cuddled close to him,

her cheek touching his knee. He looks down at her

and sees he has made a friend. He places his hand

gently on her hair. She looks up, her eyes no

longer showing fear. Their faces are illuminated

by the dancing flames.

THE FIRE - CLOSE SHOT 227

It CRACKLES reassuringly.

SLOW DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. WELL - FULL SHOT - (DAY) 228

The ring of flames from the previous scene is

seemingly replaced by a dark, circular shaft from

which comes the low THROBBING of some GIANT

MACHINES, pounding, beating monotonously. The

CAMERA MOVES BACK to include the LANDSCAPE

where more wells are visible in the distance,

each surrounded by a low, porcelain wall. Their

roofs are shining brass-like disks.

Across the field, from the direction of the sphinx,

approach the Time Traveller, carrying his jacket

over his shoulder, and a few steps behind, Weena.

TIME TRAVELLER'S VOICE

My efforts next morning to open the

panel were fruitless. I had to find

another way to retrieve my Machine.

Weena, concerned, stands back as the Time Traveller

walks up to the well in the f.g. and peers down into:

THE SHAFT - HIGH ANGLE 229

It descends into darkness, but near the top can be

seen handholds in an irregular pattern. The

THROBBING OF MACHINES is ominous.

AT THE MOUTH OF WELL - FULL SHOT 230

The Time Traveller in the f.g. turns back to Weena.

TIME TRAVELLER:

Listen!

(pause)

Do you hear?

WEENA (fearfully)

Yes.

TIME TRAVELLER:

Machines!

WEENA:

No...Morlocks.

TIME TRAVELLER:

(straightening, amazed)

You mean those animals run machines?

WEENA:

They are Morlocks.

TIME TRAVELLER:

(as he walks to her)

I know, but have you seen the

machines?

CLOSE ON WEENA 231

She shakes her head.

WEENA:

No, only heard of them.

The CAMERA EASES BACK to include the Time Traveller

as he reaches her.

TIME TRAVELLER:

Who told you?

WEENA:

The talking rings.

TIME TRAVELLER:

(moves closer to her)

What sort of rings?

WEENA:

(with a shrug)

Rings that talk.

TIME TRAVELLER:

Can you show me these rings?

Weena nods and starts off. He follows her.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. GREAT HALL - FULL SHOT - (DAY) 232

Deserted, until Weena leads the Time Traveller past

the tables toward the shelves of crumbling books

that the Young Man had previously shown him.

She enters an archway and walks up a dark stone

corridor. He follows.

INT. STONE CORRIDOR - MED. SHOT 233

Weena leading the Time Traveller up the corridor

where it veers sharply to the right. They disappear

around the corner.

INT. GREEN MUSEUM - LONG SHOT - (DAY) - (MATTE) 234

The Time Traveller and Weena stop at the threshold of

a huge museum-like room, all done in a greenish

colored porcelain-like substance. There are no

windows, but the vaulted ceiling has a transparent

dome where the sun's rays, changing with the course

of day, illuminate the entire museum. It is

evidently a place that no one bothers to visit.

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