When Worlds Collide Page #2

These bodies

are thousands oftimes faster

and could be here within one year.

All this depends on Bronson being correct.

The planet Zyra will pass close enough

to influence the tides.

oceans will be torn from their depths.

Tidal waves will sweep in from the coasts.

There will be giant earthquakes.

Handfuls of people may survive

if provisions are made.

We'll make them.

Every possible effort.

Whatever help my factories can give,

we'll give gladly.

It will be useless. Soon after,

Bellus will collide with the earth.

our world will end.

There is no error.

I always wanted to do this.

Want to try?

It's funny. I keep thinking about

a Mr Simmons.

He was a patient of mine

when I was interning.

one of those incurable cases.

I used to wonder how he felt

the day he asked me

how much longer he had to live.

Now I think I know.

- Joyce?

- Yes?

Let's not put off getting married.

There isn't any reason to wait,

is there?

I promised Dad I'd wait.

There'll be so much to do.

Your father will be the first to agree.

The time that's left should be ours.

We're entitled to be selfish

when we knowwhat's coming.

I'd feel better if I talked to Dad first.

He'll be home the day after tomorrow.

- Dr Drake?

- Yes?

There is a call for you from the hospital.

Thank you.

EXcuse me, I'll be right back.

I never used to believe my mother's stories

about Americans

being the most progressive people.

I thought she was boasting

because she was born here.

But this is proof of progress.

They charge for drinks...by the inch.

Look, stargazer,

arithmetic is your department.

How much is seven times $2.50?

Real progress, $17.50 per bottle.

- Tell me something, stargazer.

- What is it?

You and the doctor going to get married?

I don't know.

Maybe you could tell me

where I could find out.

Why?

I'd like to stop being

an interested bystander.

Bronson gets in tomorrow.

I'll tell him he was right to say

the day was coming when money

wouldn't mean a thing to me.

May I trouble you for another light?

Thank you, Madam.

This is the day. Money to burn!

I must ask one question

that all the delegates want answered.

I hope I have your confidence.

You are satisfied there is no error

and that all the facts are correct?

Yes, sir.

The effect ofZyra's passing

should be felt about one o'clock

on the afternoon of July 24th.

What about the giant star, Bellus?

Can the doctor tell us

when this second body will threaten?

Bellus will crush the earth

on the morning of August 12th.

This is not a publicity seeking campaign.

We are aware that most of our

colleagues ridicule our findings.

But believing what we do,

we have to ask for this hearing.

Therefore, I ask you, Dr Hendron,

if it is with complete certainty

that you say the world will end

next August 12th?

Precisely that, sir.

There is a very remote possibility,

that a few people may be saved.

The world will be destroyed,

but a few people will be saved?

our world will end on August 12th,

in eight months.

There is no margin for error in that.

But we believe that Zyra

once contained living matter.

We believe,

and this is theory not certainty,

that some form ofvegetation

may exist on Zyra.

You are proposing

that we all pack our trunks

and move to...Zyra?

No, but we hope that with God's guidance,

a few may do exactly that.

A 20th century Noah's ark.

As many as can be built

in this short time.

Eventually, as Zyra and Bellus

speed toward us,

even a layman will see the danger.

As a train looms in the distance,

in an instant it is upon you.

With enough funds, labour and material,

Dr Frye believes rockets can be built

to fly to Zyra.

But eight months is very little time.

only if work begins immediately

can this be done.

If you wait until the danger is visible,

it will be too late.

Bellus and Zyra

will be upon us and crush the earth!

Dr Ottinger,

ofthe Estabrook observatory.

Gentlemen, my colleagues,

Dr Felix Zenta,

Professor of astronomy at Cornwall

University and Dr Jonathan Wilson,

President of the International

Planetary Research lnstitute, and I

have examined

the photographs and data

submitted by Drs Hendron and Bronson.

Our findings show

there is no cause for alarm.

No reason to spend billions of dollars

to build spaceships

which never will be needed.

Suppose they were built.

Do either of you believe spaceships

can fly to any planet?

It is theoretically possible.

I believe in theories. But when you say

flying to another planet is possible

you are out of the realm of theory

and dreaming of the impossible.

Even if the world were to end,

would it be less unpleasant to die in space

than here, on firm ground?

The world will not end.

Certainly, these new bodies

will pass our planet.

Heavenly bodies frequently do.

But we are still here.

Predicting the end of the world

is an annual crackpot event in our society.

An attempt to corner

the newspaper headlines.

But I did not expect a man

of Dr Hendron's background

to join this headline-hunting parade.

Read all about it!

End ofthe world just around the corner.

Read all about it!

Let's be thankful for small favours.

The subcommittee didn't believe us.

At least they didn't ridicule us.

No one believes us.

How will we interest

enough private capital?

I'll buy you a start on your ship!

I'll settle for the satisfaction

that I contributed to salvaging

something from our old world.

I'm older and richer than you are.

I'll arrange the lease on a large camp -

an old government site.

Between us,

you'll have enough to start.

Wonderful, Spiro!

I'll arrange the details

for our next meeting.

Gentlemen.

- Have you got a minute, Dad?

- I'm marking time.

We have an appointment

with Sydney Stanton.

Will he give you the money you need?

I hope so.

He made the appointment.

Tony's outside.

- I'm sure he didn't come to see me.

- He wants to marry me, now.

I don't blame him.

Isn't marriage what you want?

I've liked Tony more than any other man.

I was always sure

we would get married one ofthese days.

There isn't time for uncertainty.

You have to answer this question.

Do you want to spend

what time is left as Tony's wife?

I wish I could answer.

I suppose it really doesn't matter...

and it is what Tony wants.

- Not what you want?

- I don't know that either.

Dad, I'm so mixed up.

I can't think straight.

Do I knowthis subject of your confusion?

Dave Randall.

I don't know why, when or where.

I told myself I like being with him

only because he's someone different.

- Yes?

- Mr Stanton is here.

Tell Dr Frye and send in Mr Stanton.

You told me to answer the question.

Let Tony wait a while longer.

And give me two minutes

after Stanton leaves

to figure out an eXcuse

to keep Dave Randall right here.

Oh, thanks, Dad! Thanks!

- Dr Hendron.

- Mr stanton.

- This is Dr Frye.

- Doctor ofwhat?

Dr Frye is the dean

ofthe Eastern School of Technology.

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