The Time Machine Page #6

TIME TRAVELLER'S VOICE

You needn't have troubled yourself.

I'm all right.

FILBY:

No you're not. - You've been

behaving oddly for over a month

now.

(and then)

I'm not leaving until you tell me

what's on your mind.

TIME TRAVELLER - MED. SHOT 59

Deep in thought, he goes to the fireplace and stirs

the coals. The CAMERA FOLLOWS.

TIME TRAVELLER:

I appreciate your gesture, David,

but if you don't mind I'd rather

you left me alone.

FILBY:

You have changed, George.

Enormously.

TIME TRAVELLER:

I'm sorry.

FILBY (looks up to him

directly)

Will you answer me one question

honestly?

TIME TRAVELLER:

I'll try.

FILBY:

Why this preoccupation with Time?

TIME TRAVELLER (sharply)

Why not?

FILBY:

Don't go simple on me, George!

TIME TRAVELLER (a beat,

then calmly)

If you want to know the truth, I

don't much care for the time I was

born into. - It seems people aren't

dying fast enough these days. They

call upon science to invent new,

more efficient weapons to depopulate

the earth.

FILBY:

I quite agree with you. But here

we are and we have to make the best

of it.

TIME TRAVELLER:

You may have to. I don't.

FILBY (making a half-

hearted attempt at levity)

All right. Take a journey on your

contraption. What would you become?...

A Greek? A Roman? One of the

Pharaohs?

TIME TRAVELLER:

I prefer the future.

FILBY:

You're not seriously saying you can

do it?

TIME TRAVELLER:

You saw the experiment this afternoon,

didn't you?

FILBY:

I saw a toy machine vanish. But

I'm certain there are a number of

ways of doing that trick. Any

magician at the Hippodrome could

probably do it.

TIME TRAVELLER (angrily)

It was no trick! - Would you care

to see the full-scale model?

FILBY:

No, I would not! I have no desire

to tempt the laws of Providence and

I don't think you should. It's not

for man to trifle with.

TIME TRAVELLER:

Now you sound like Hillyer and Kemp.

FILBY:

There is something in their common

sense attitude to life.

(and then)

George, I speak to you as a friend.

More, as a brother. If that machine

can do what you say it can...destroy

it. Destroy it, George, before it

destroys you.

Distant SOUNDS of NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATIONS are HEARD.

TIME TRAVELLER:

You must have plans for New Year's

Eve. Don't let me keep you.

FILBY:

Mary isn't well. We decided to

stay home with the baby. But why

don't you come home with me. You

haven't seen little Jaime for a

long time.

TIME TRAVELLER:

I can't.

FILBY:

What's stopping you?

TIME TRAVELLER:

I just want to see the old century

out by myself.

FILBY (rising)

Have it your own way.

He goes to the door.

AT THE DOOR 60

Filby stops, then turns around.

FILBY:

Will you promise me that you won't

leave the house tonight?

TIME TRAVELLER:

I promise you, I won't walk out of

the door.

Filby, a little puzzled by this strange promise, turns

to go as the Time Traveller puts down the poker and

steps up to him.

TIME TRAVELLER:

David! Please don't think me un-

friendly! - Come over to dinner -

next Friday. Won't you?

FILBY:

Very well.

TIME TRAVELLER:

Fine...and will you bring the others

with you?

FILBY (with a warm smile)

Whatever you say, George. - Happy

New Year.

TIME TRAVELLER (shaking hands)

And a very happy New Year to you, David.

Filby pats his arm before he leaves. The Time Traveller

stands there until he hears the FRONT DOOR SHUT. Then,

FOLLOWED BY THE CAMERA, he goes to the writing table

and sits down.

AT THE WRITING TABLE 61

The Time Traveller opens a drawer and takes out the

new calendar that reads: "1900, Welcome New Century."

He flips a few pages to find the next Friday and jots

down the dinner engagement. At this point Mrs. Watchett,

with his velvet smoking jacket over her arm, appears

in the doorway and walks up to him.

MRS. WATCHETT

Will you be having supper in this

evening, sir?

TIME TRAVELLER (while ex-

changing jackets with Mrs.

Watchett's help)

I don't think so, Mrs. Watchett. Why

don't you take the evening off and

celebrate.

MRS. WATCHETT

Thank you, sir, but if you won't be

needing me I think I'll turn in early

and get some sleep...

(indicating revelers outside)

...it I can. - Goodnight, sir.

TIME TRAVELLER:

Goodnight.

She turns to go as the Time Traveller calls after her.

TIME TRAVELLER:

Oh, Mrs. Watchett!

(as she responds)

I've invited Mr. Filby and the others

to dinner next Friday.

(and then)

Happy New Year, Mrs. Watchett.

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