VISIT TO A SMALL PLANET By Gore Vidal The Goodyear Television Playhouse May 8, 1955 Director: Jack SwiauT Producer: Goxvon Dore Associate Producer: RoveRT ALAN AURTHUR cast Kreton: Cvnat Rrrenann Roger Spelding: EDWARD ANDREWS Ellen Spelding: Juxx Krart ‘Mrs. Spelding: Seivia Davis, Jolin Randolph: Dick Youk General Powers: ALAN REED Aide: Buuce Kins Paul Laurent: Taeopone. BIKEL Secorid Visitor: Lous EDMONDS President of Paraguay! ALFRED Dz L& FUENTE 224 ACT ‘Stock shot: The night sky, stars, Then slowly a luminous spect arc Into view. Az i is almost upon 1s, dissolve 10 the tving room of the Spelding house in Maryland. ‘Supertmpose card: “THE TIME: THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW" ‘The room is comfortably balanced between the expensively decorated and the homely, Roger Spelding is conctuting his TY broadcast. He is middle-oped, unctuous, resonant. His vont bored and vague, knits passively while he talks at is Te. Two technictans are on hand, operating the equipment. is daughter, Ellen, a lively gisl of twenty, fidgets as she Titens. Srniuixe (Into microphone): . . « and so, according (0 ‘General Powers . Who should know if anyone docs » the fving object which has given rise to so much isvespon- Kine cogjecaure is nothing mare than a meteor passing ‘lvough the earth's orbit. Ie is not, as many believe, a secret eapan of this country. Nor is it a:space ship as certain Jaantic elements have suggested. General Powers has assured Ine that fis highly doubtful there is any form of life on flher planets capable of building a spaceship. travel is to be done in space, we will do it ext” And hase are his exact words... Which winds up anather week Glrnewss (Crosses to pose wit wife and daughter) This is Roger Spelding, saying good night to Mother and Father ‘Anuetica from my old homestead in Silver Glen, Maryland, ‘lose to the warm pulse-beat of the nation -renmrcan: Good show tonight, Mr. Speiding. sretpmvc: Thank you. "Fecamcian: Yes sit, you were right on time. ‘Spelding nods wearly, his mechanical sinile and heartiness ‘suddenly gone, ‘iwsH by Gove Vat 222‘ns, spELoiNa: Very nice, dear. Very nice. ‘TECHNICIAN: See you next week, Mrs, Speiding. SPELDING: Thank you, boys. Technicians go. sPpuDING: Did you like the broadcast, Ellen? ELLEN: Of course I did, Daddy. ‘sPELDING: Then what did I say? ELLEN: Ob, that’s not fair, SPELDING: It’s not very flattering when one’s own daughter ‘won't listen to what one says while millions of people. . « ELLEN: I always listen, Daddy, you know that, Ms, SPELDING: We love your broadcasts, deat. T don’t know ‘what we'd do without them, SPELDING: Starve. ELLEN: wonder what's keeping John? sPELDING: Certainly not work. ELLEN: Ob, Daddy, stop it! John works very hard and you know it was. SPELDING: Yes, he's a perfectly nice boy, Roger. I like him, SPELDING: I know. I know: he has every virtue except the most important one: ie has no get-up-and-go, ELLEN (Precisely): Hle doesn’t want to get up and he doesn't want to go because he's already where he wants to be on bis own farm which is exactly where I'm going to be when we're married, sPexpING: More thankless than a serpest’s tooth is an ungrate- ful child. ELLEN: I don’t think that’s right, Isn't SPELDING: Whatever the exact quotato ment, ans. sPEtpiNo: Please don't quarrel It always gives me a head- ach SPELDING: I never quarrel, I merely reason, in my simple way, with Miss Kaow-itall here, miteN: Ob, Daddy! Next you'll tell me I should marry for ‘money. sratoino: There is nthing wrong with marrying a wealthy man. The horror of it has always eluded me. However, my conly wish is that you marry someone hard-working,’ am bitious, a man who'll make his mark in the world, Not a boy who plans to sit on a farm all his life, growing peanuts. uten: English walnuts. sPELDINo: Will you stop correcting me? ELLEN: But, Daddy, John grows walnuts... 223 “more deadly...” I stand by the éeati- John enters, breathlessly, youn: Come out! Quickly. 1's coining this way. ICs going to Tand right here! SPELDING: What's going toland? JOHN: The space ship. Look! SreLDING: Apparently you didn't hear my broadcast, The ‘lying object in question is a meteor not a space ship. John has gone out with Ellen. Spelding and Mrs. Spelding follow. MRS. SPELDING: Oh, my! Look! Something fs falling! Roger, you don’t think i's going to hit the house, do you? SrrLpIG: The odds against being hit by a falling object that iz are, T should say, roughly, ten million to one. youn: Ten million to one or not it’s going to Tand right here and its nor falling. srexpino: I'm sure i's a meteor. Rs, SPELDING: Shoulda’t we go down to the cellar? SPELDING: If i's not @ meteor, it’s an optical illusion... mass hysteria. ELLEN: Daddy, its a real space ship, I'm sure it is SPaLDINo: Or maybe a westsr balloon, Yes, ths what i ‘General Powers aid Only yesterday + son! Testandigt Saupe: Im peog to cll the police the armyl Bota inside, uta Ook how tshinest Sone: Here ome ns ec: ght in my cose garden! san: Maybeisataloon oun No, isa spice ship and right in your own backyard, tte: Whatmaketitshnew? oo ‘ont don Kaew but Tm going to fad eu "Ran of toward eligi, suet: ‘Oh, diag, dont Jom, leet Joba, Joba come Spelt, wide-eyed returns, das seaccino: Roger i Tanded right in ny ros garden, tontoise: I ot Genel Powers Hes coming over He sald they've been watching this thing. They thy dot how whats LLIN: You mean ts nothing of ours? senor: They believe it «= (Swallows hard) ‘oer space ; ups: And Tots down test Daddy, et a gun or sine it’s from 24smmvowo: Pethaps wot better leave the house uni the amy eisire. rf We can ieave Jon. TEEN: We an ces nearsighted) Why, i not much ro ean tm sure ies some Kind of meteor rt: Metgors sre Blazing ot Srnupnoe Thsisaeald one. Se rining car the whole side's opening! (Shouts) Fehal Come backt Quick achat Come Phys theres & man getting oxt of i! (Sight) nS SPE er tends Pm sure if we ask hit, oll 1 fee Gu thing for wi, Roger, yoo ask HI. sett (Ominouty)? ets really « maa? Se eden hans ith hn (Call) Tob dn, Someon up hereon se tomenime” Aad bing your fiend ns SPL Qu someting wrong wih the way that crea mune: Theres tea man and aoa. nota oostes una gntone’ He looks pete nic 0 me aa ator appear. The wstor i in sft, @ Joh a te ooking man with sid-phiskers ond dressed ei of {000 Te pauses when he sts the three Int face on a moments They stare back at iy Fowl terested eee er made a mistake Tam sorry, 1 beter g9 ack and ar over agai. conn a or ae youve only jst arrived. Coe in ELM noe fowl You what pleasure this = Mater. Mites ne ston This the wrong costume, ft Jruuonve: Wrong for what? settron: For tegounty, sodte tie. Stevo: Waly teat o-fashoned. SruPapscono: But ralyavillyhandioms Epon! Thank you. RETO yuo (To husband) Ask hen about moving tat hing titmay embed Spe ens them alin lving room. eens reo in and sit dow ou must be Hred after your i. ‘XRETON: Yes, ‘Lam alittle (Looks around delightedly) Ob, it's etter han Ft hoped! snhupnwo: eter? Waat'sbetter? a pe oe os tats what you eal it? Ori (hs an partment? i 25 sep.onvo: This is a house in the State of Maryland, US.A. Sauron? Ia the late 20th century! To think this ts really the Goth centary. T must it down A moment and collect myst ‘The real thing! Hesits down. num: Your. you're not an American, are you? Exuroxs: What & nice thought! No, Fm sot Jorn: You sound more English Snuront Dol? Is my accent very bad? “Toms: No, its quite good. areiomvey Where are you from, Mr. Keeton? Eneron (Evasively): Another place. Srmpmvo: On this earth ofcourse, Eneron! No, noto tis planet. rues Are ou from Mars? Thuross Oh dear ae, not Mars. There's nobody on Mars atleast no one T kno. ute: Tm sue your teasing us and thsi all some Kind of publicity stant. xsston: No, ally am from another place. Shurpino: T don't suppore you'd conseat to my daterviewing ‘youon telovsion? sen 1 don" thick your authorities wil like that. They are terribly upset sits. serrnnso: How do you know? Sauron Well, pick up things. For instance, ¥ know that ina few minvies a number of people from your Army wil be here to queston me and they + «le you .« »af@ tora by doubt. sectotvo: How extreordinary! urns: Why di you comohere? Eznerow: Simply a visit to your small planet I've been studying it for year. In fact, one might say, You people are my hobby. Especially, this petiod of your development. sion Are you the frst pecton from your « . . your planck to travel inspacelike this? xnprow: Oh my no! Everyone travels who wants fo, Tes just hat-no one wants to visit you. I ean’ think why. 1 always hve. You'd be surprised what a thorough study T've mado. (iecies) The pave, Hart, is divided into Sve continents ‘vith a number of large islands, 1¢ is mostly water, Thre i Dae snoon, Civilization is only just begining. srbupinor Just begioning! My dear st, we bave bad.» « ERETON (Blandly): You are only in the intial stages, the 226 . Sige‘most fascinating stages as far as T'm concerned... Ido hope don’t sound patronizing. ELLen: Well, we are very proud, KRETON: J know and that’s one of your most endearing, primi= tive waits. Ob, Ican't believe I'm here at last! General Powers, a vigorous product of the National Guard, and his Aide entor. rowers: All right folks. The place is surrounded by troops. ‘Where is the monster? xxeton: [, my dear General, am the monster. rowens: What are you dressed up for, a faney-dress party? ERETON: I'd hoped to bo in the costume of the period. As you see Lam about a hundred years too late, vowens: Roger, whois this joker? ‘SPELDING: This is Mr. Kreton . . . General Powers. Mr. Kroton arrived in that thing outside: He is from another planet. voweRs: I don't believe it, ELLEN: It's true, We saw him get out of the flying saucer. rowsns (To Aide): Captain, go down and look at that ship. But be careful. Doa’t touch anything. And don't let any- body else near it. (Aide goes) So you're from another planet. KRETON: Yes. My, that's a very smart uniform but I prefer the ‘ones made ef metal, the ones you used to Wear, you knows with the feathers on top. Powans: That was five hundred years ago... « Are you sure ‘you're not from the Earth? xnEroN: Yes. rowens: Well, I'm not. You've got some pretty tall explaining todo. KRETON: Anything to oblige, ‘Allright, which planet? ‘None that you have ever heard of, Where is it? ‘You wouldn't know. Powers: This solar system? KRETON: No. Another system? ‘Yes, owsxs: Look, Buster, I don't want to play games to know where you're from. The law requires it. JKRETON: It’s possible that I could explain it toa mathematician ‘but I'm afraid I couldn't explain it to you, not for another five hundred years and by then of course you'd be dead be~ ‘cause you people do dic, don’t you? 27 Tjust want owns: What? i KRETON: Poor fragile butterflies, such brief little moments in ‘thesun,... Yousee we don't die. Powsns: You'll die all right if it tums out you're a spy or a hostile alien, owERs: What did you find? are: Pm not sure, General, PowERs: (Heavily): ‘Then do your best to describe what the ob- ject slike, ‘be: Wel, its elliptical, with a fourteen foot diameter. And 's made of an unknown metal which shines and inside there a't anything? ‘ibe: There's nothing inside the ship: No instruments, no food, nothing. rowan (Zo Kreton): Wht di you do with your lstrumént ard? -xxETON: With my what? Oh, Tdon't have one. Powers: How does the thing travel? KRETON: I don't know. rowsns: You doa't know. Now look, Mister, you're in pretty serious trouble. I suggest you do a bit of codperating. You claim you traveled here from outer space in a machine with no instruments... xkneTON: Well, theso cars are rather common in my world and suppose, once upon & time, I must've known the theory on ‘which they operate but I've long since forgotten. After all, General, we're not mechanics, you and I. rowers: Roger, do you mind if we use your study? SPELDING: Not at all. Notat all, General owsns: Mr. Kreton and I are going to have a chat. (To Aide) Put in acall to the Chief of Sta. anpe: Yes, General. ‘Spelding rises, leads Kreton and Powers into next room, a ‘handsomely furnished study, many books and a globe of the world. srELpiNo: This way, gentlemen. (Kreton sits down comfortably beside the globe which he twirls thoughifully. At the door, Spelding speaks in a low voice to Powers) Uhope I'l be the one to get the story frst, Tom. PowERs: There isn't any story. Complete censorship. I'm sorry but this house is under martial law. I've a hunch 28 Saat‘we're in trouble. (He shuts the door, Spelding turns and rex Joins his family ELLEN: T think he's wonderful, whoever he is. 2ns. sPetpivo: I wonder how much damage he did to my rose garden... JOHN: Is sure hard to believe he's really from outer space. ‘No instruments, no nothing... boy, they must be advanced scientifically MMs. SPELDING: Is he spending the night, dear? spetomve: What? ‘Ms. SPELDING: Is he spending the night? SPELDING: Oh yes, yes, I suppose he will bo, aan, srecpmé: Then I'd better go make up the bedroom. He seems perfectly nice fo me. I like his whiskers, They're so very... . comforting. Like Grandfather Spelding’s, She goes. SPELDING (Biwterly): T know this story will leak out before T can interview him. I just know i mexin: What does it mean, we're under martial law? SPELDING: Tt means we have to do what General Powers tells sto do. (He goes 10 the window az a soldier passes by) See? JouN: I wish I'd taken a closer look at that ship when t had thechance, ELLEN: Perhaps hel give us a ride init. oun: Traveling in space! Just like those stories, You know: intergalactic drive stuf SPELDING: If he's not an impostor, ELLEN: Thave a feeling he isn't. Jou: Wel, I better call the family and tel them Ira allright, He crosses 10 telephone by the door which leads Into heal, awe: I'msorry, sir, But you ean't use the phone. SPELDING: He certainly can. This is my house ‘Atos (Mechanically): This house js a military reservation until the crisis is over: Order General Powers, I'm sorry, JOHN: How am T to call home to say where 1 am? ‘Awe: Only General Powers can help you. You're also forbidden to leave this house without permaission. srevpine; You can't do this! ‘Ae: I'm afraid, si, we've done it, ELLEN: Isn't exeitin Cut to study, POWERS: Are you deliberately trying to confuse me? ERETON: Not deliberately, no. 29 Pownrs: We have gone over and over this for two hours now ‘and all that you've told me is that you're from another planet in another solar system. XKETON: In another dimension. I think that's the word you use, owsRs: In another dimension and you have come here as a tourist. ‘ERETON: Up to a point, yes. What did you expect? owns: For all T know, you are spy, sent here by an allen rcoto study us, preparatory toinvasion. xxEToN:Oh, none of my people would dream of invading you. ‘ou don't, so I suggest you believe me. I should slso ‘warn you: Ican tell what's inside, RETON: Idoa' realy read it heart ‘owns: What am I thinking? XEETON! That I'am either a lunatic from the earth or a spy from another world. ‘ovinns: Comet But then you could've gussed tht. (Frown) ‘What am thinking ow? : aston You're muklag a plore, Three silver stars, You'e pining them on your shoulGe, instead of the two stars you ow Wear. row (Stared): That right. was thinking of my promo- tio. xnzrox: If there's anything I can do fo hurry it along, us et Se ve aty yeh owns! You can, Tellme why youre here ‘KRETON: Well, we don't travel ae people. We weal i ut since wo see everything through special monitor an recreator,thete Isto parilar need to wavel However, Z am a hobbyist. I love to gad about. rowens (Tating noes): Are youth fst visit ws? EUETON: Ob, no! We eared visitng you Jong before there ‘were people on the planet. However, we ae seldom noticed tn our rps I'm sorry to say Tipped up, coming ia the sway Tdi». bur then this vit was all rather imprompt. (Cag) iain a restore of impulse fear. Aleloots I son: Cie of Stal on the telephone, General 230rowers (Picks up phone): Hello, yes, sir. Powers speaking. T'm talking to him now. No, sir. No, sir. No, we can't de- ermine what method of power was used. He won't talk. Yer, sir. TH hold him bere. I've put the house under martial Jaw’. . » belongs to a friend of mine, Roger Spelding, the TV commentator. Roger Spelding, the TV . . . What? Ob, no, Fm sure he won't say anything. Who. - oh, yes, si. Yes, [ realize the importance of it, Yes, I will. Good-by. (Hangs tip) The President of the United States wants to now all shout you. xaerox: How nice of him! And I want to know all about him. But I do wish you'd let me rest a bit firs. Your language is ‘sill not famillar to me. I bad to Tearn them all, quite exhausting. vowens: You speak all our languages? ERETON: Yes, all of them. But then it's easier than you might think since I can see what's inside. vowens: Speaking of what's inside, we're going to take your ship apart. KRETON: Oh, I wish you wouldn't. Powers: Security demands KRETON: Ia that case my security demands you leave it alone, vowsns: You plan to stop us? KRETON: Talready have «.. Listen. Faroff shouting. Aide rushes into the study. ‘ue: Something's kappened to the ship, General, ‘The door's shut and there's some kind of wall all ground it, an invisible wall, We can't get nea it xRETON: (To camera): I hope there was no one inside. Powers: (To Kreton) : How did you do that? KRETON: I couldn't begin to explain. Now if you don’t mind, I think we should go in and see our hosts. He rises, go2s into living room. Powers and Aide look at ‘ecch other. powers: Don'tlet him out of your sight. (Cut to living room as Powers picks up phone. Kreton is with John and Elen, xxETON: I don't mind curiosity but I really can't permit thei to wreck my poor ship. Ha ELLEN: What do you plan to do, now you're here? 231 XRETON: Ob, keep busy. I have a project or tw0 «+ + (Sighs) I can't believe you're reall sor: Then we're alli the same boat, XAETON: Boat? Oh, yes! Well, I should have come ages ago but 1... Teouldatt get away until yesterday. ous Yesterday? Tt only took you a day to get here? XRETON: One of my days, not yours. But then you don’t know about time yet. JOHN: Ob, you mean relativity. xneron: No, i's much more involved than that. You won't ‘know about time until... now let me sec if 1 remember 1o, I don't, butt’s about two thousand years, SoHN: What do we do between now and then? xneToN: You simply go on the way you are, living your ex- siting primitive lives . .. you have no idea how much fan ‘you're having now. PLLEN: T hope youl stay with us while you're here, xnpTON: That's very nice of you. Perhaps I will. Though I'm sure youll get tired of having a visitor under foot all the time, PLLEN: Certainly not. And Daddy will be deliriously happy. He can interview you by the hour, son: What's itlikein outer space? neT0N: Dall ELLEN: I should think it would be divine! Powersenters. xRETON: No, General, it won't work rowens: What won't work? xxnton: Trying to blow up my little force field, You'll just plough up Mrs, Spelding’s garden. Powers snarls and goes into study. muuen: Can you tell what we're all thinking? xxerow: Yes. Asa matter of fact, it makes me a bit giddy. Your ‘minds are not at all like ours. You see we control our ‘thoughts while you... wel it’s extraordinary the things you ‘think about! ELLEN: Ob, how awful! You can tll everything we think? RETON: Everything! I's one of the reasons I'm here, to intox!- ‘cate myself with your primitive minds . .. with the wonder- ful rawness of your emotions! You have no idea how it ex- cites mel You simply seethe with unlikely emotions. BLLEN: I've never felt so sordid. ‘ZoHN: From now on I'm going to think about agriculture, ‘sretpmio (Entering) : Youwould. BLLEN: Daddy! 232uron: No, no, You must go right on thinking about Elle, ‘Such wonderfully purple though Sretpiio: Now sce here, Powers, you're carrying this martial Jaw thing too far... a rovnns: Unfortunately, uniil 1 have rescived word from ‘Washington as to the fina disposition of this prosiem, you ust obey my orders: no telephone eas, no eoaumusicaon ttn the osc srztom: Tiss asupportable, nETOW: Poor Mr. Speing! If ou like, I shall go, That would solve everything, wouldnt it? rowans: You're not going anywhere, Mr. Kreton, unt Tye had my Instructions. ARETON: I sincerely doubt if you could stop me, However, 1 Dutitup fo Me. Spelding. Shall go? sPnpina: Yes! (Power gestures @ warning) Do say, Y mean, ‘we want you 0 get mgood impression of =. XRETON: And of course you stl want to be the frst journalist 6 intrview me. Fair enough, Al ip il say on for rowers: Thank you. xnron: Dost mention it SPBLONVo: General, may Task our guest a few questions? owes: Go ight shad, Rage 1 Sope yor do beter than T sPnLDMa: Since you read ou minds, you probably alread know what our fears are, i . do, yes. We are afraid that you representa hostile race. KRETON: And [have assured General Powers that my people sate not remotely hostile. Except for me, n0 one i aterestod inthis planet's presen stage. srnpnio: Does this mean you might be inerested in a Tater stage? RETON: I'm not permitted to discuss your future Of course ‘ny friends think me perverse to be Interested in aprmlne society but there's 0 secounting for fasts s there? You tre nay hobby. Tlove you. And thet’ al there i to rowers: So you'e just her 10 look around... sort of going ative. KRETON: What a nict expression! That's it exactly. I am going Powers (Grimly): Well, my view that you have been sent hereby another civilization forthe express purpose of recone pollerng plot to invasion 233 ERETON: That would be your view! The wonderfully primitive assumption that all strangers are hostile. You're almost too good to be true, General. vowERs: You deay your people intend to make trouble for us? ‘xapton! Ideny it. vowens: Then are they interested in establishing communica- tion with us? trade? that kind of thing? KRETON: We have always had communication with you. As for trade, well, we do not trade... that is something peculiar only to your social level. (Quickly) Which I'm not criticiz. ingl As you know, I approve of everything you do. owERS: Igiveup. ‘SPEEDING: You have no interest then in... well, trying to dom inate the earth. KKETON: Oh, yes! owens: I thought you just said your people weren't interested inv, xRETON: They're not, but am. ERBTON: Me... mean I. You see T've come here to take charge. ‘the United States? (0, of the whole world, I'm sure you'll be much hap~ ‘pier and it will be great fun for me. You'll get used to it in no time, ‘roweRs: This is ridiculous, How can one man take over the ‘world? xKETON (Gally) : Wait and see! roweRs (To Aide) : Grab him! Powers and Aide rush Kreton bist within a foot of him, they stop, stunned. KRETON: You can't touch me, That's part of the game. (He yawns) Now, if you don't mind, 1 shall go up (© my room for alittle lie-down, speLnnva: Tilshow you the way. XRETON: That's all right. know the way. (Touches his brow) ‘Such savage thoughts! My head is vibrating like a dram. T feel quite giddy, all of you thinking away. (Fe starts 1o the ‘door; he pauses beside Mrs. Spelding). No, its not a dream, dear lady, I shall be here in the morning when You Wake up. ‘And now, good night, dear, wicked children...» He goesas we fade out. 234ACT IT Fade in on Kreton's bedroom next morning. He les fully clothed on bed with cat on his lap XRETON: Poor cat! Of course I sympathize with you. Dogs are fistastefu, What? Oh, 1 can well beliove they do: yee yee ow disgusting. They don't ever groom their furl Bui fon {e constanty, such a fino coat. No, no, Tm not just saying that, Izeally mean it: exquisite texture. Of course, I wookiny $8y It was nicer than skin but even so... What? On, no! They chase you! Dogs chase you for no reason at ait except pure malice? You poor creature. Ab, but you Jo ‘Aight back! That's right! give it to them: slash, bite, erator Dont let them get away with a trick... Nol Do dows realy do that? Well, I'm sure you don't. What... of welt yes I completely agree about mice. They are delicieant (Ugh!) Pounce, snap and there is a heavenly dinner, No don't Know any mice yet... they're not very amusing? fut After all think how you must terrify them because yer ase $0 ‘bold, so cunning, so beautifully predatory! (Kook wr door) Comes, Buen (Enters): Good moming. I brought you your breakfast, XRETON: How thoughtful! (Examines bacon) ‘Delicious, but Ym afraid my stomach is not like yours, if you'll pardon me, T don't eat. (Removes pill from his pocket and siallowe it) This is all I need for the day. (Indicates eat) Unlike thie ‘reature, who would eat her own weight every hour, given achanee, ELLEN: How do you know? RETON: We've had a tale BLLEN: You can speak to the cat? XRETON: Not speak exactly but we communicate, Tlook inside and the cat codperates, Bright red thoughts, very excitiog, though rather on one level, HELEN: Does kitty like us? 23s fem tao rou say she did. But then she has very for thoughts not connected with food. Have youn ry aed, Janes Himinal? (He strokes the cat, which jumpy ta the floor) TLLIN: You know you've really upset everyone, arrow: supposed that I wowld. BLLEN: Cn You really take over the world, jus like hat? XRETON: Ob, yes. TLEN: Wht do you plan to do when you have taken over? nbron: Ah, tht i my secrete, BELEN: Well T think you'l be a very nice Presiden, if they letyou ofcourse, RETO: What a sweot girl you aret Marry him sight away, BLUE: Marry John? XRETON: Yet. Tse it in your bead and in his, He wants you very much, BUEN: Well, wo plan to get married this summer, if father doesnt fuss oo much, RxeToN: Do it before then. shal arrange it all if you like, Eu: How? KRETON: [ean convince your father mun: That sounds awfully ominous. I think you'd beter Teave poor Daly alone. BRETON: Whatever you say. (Sipht) Oh, I love it sof When 1 woke up this moraing I had to. pinch myself to preva t vwasteally here. muim: We were all doing a bt of pinching too. Ever since eva wove had nothing but vistors and’ phove cal net {toope ouside in the garden, No one has fie laisen id ‘What to do about you. SBETON: Well I dont thnk they'l be confosedmauch longer. ELLEN How do you plan to conguer the world? XRETON: I eoafess Pat not sure. 1 suppose inust meke some demonstration of strength, some colorful wick thet ont ighten evecyons . though T mich prefer taking chante {ulety That’ why Tve sent for the Presents ELLEN: The President? Our Presiden? ERETON: Ye, he'll be along any minute now, "Lan: But the President just docs't go around visting peor A snsrow: Hell vist me, (Chuckles) Tt may come asa suprise {o him, but he'll be in this house ina Very few mines ink we'd better go downstairs now. (To cat) No, I will not give you 8 mouse, You must get your own. Be selfvelingt east 236Dissolve" to" the study. Powers is reading book entitled: “The Atom and You". Muffed explosions off-stage. ‘awe (Entering): Sit, nothing seems to be working. Do we have the General's permission to try a fission bomb on the force field? vowsns: No...no. We'd better give itup. ‘ape: The men are beginning to talk. vowsns (Thundering) : Well, Keep them quiet! (Contritely) I'm sorry, Captain. I'm on edge. Fortunately, the whole business ‘ll soon be in the hands of the World Council, ‘amps: What will the World Couneil do? ‘owens: It wll be interesting to observe them. ‘oz: You don't think this Kreton can really take over the world, do you? ROWERS: Of course not. Nobody can, Dissolve £0 living room, Mrs. Spelding and Spelding are talking. ‘Mas SPELDING: You still haven't asked Mr. Kreton about mov= ing that thing, have you? spELbive: There are too many important things to ask him. ‘MUS. SPELDING: I hate to be a nag but you know the trouble have had getting anything to grow in that part of the gar~ dea oun (Enters) : Good morning. 1s, sPELDING: Good morning, John. oH: Any sign of your guest? 2MaS. SPELDING: Ellen took his breakfast up to him a few mine utes ago. JouN: They don’t seem to be having much luck, do they? Isure hope you don’t mind my staying here like this. Spelding glowers, ‘Mas. sPELDING: Why, we love having you! I just hope your fam- ily aren't too anxious. Jou: One of the G.L's finally called them, said 1 was staying here for the week-end. SPELDINO: The rest of our lives, if something isn't done soon, ‘JOHN: Just how long do you think that'll be, Dad? sPELpino: Who knows? Kreton and Ellen enter. KRETON: Ab, how wonderful to ses you again! Let mo catch ‘my breath, . ...Oh, your minds! Is not easy for me, you Know. So many crude thoughts blazing away! Yes, ‘Mrs. Spelding, Iwill move the ship off Your roses, 237 >is. spzpma: That's awfully sweet of you. ERETON: Mr. Spelding, if any interviews are to be granted you willbe the fist. I promise you. srELDINo: That's very considerate, I'm sure, KRETON: So you can stop thinking those particular thoughts, “And now where isthe President? ‘SPBLDING: The President? xxeToN: Yes, I sent for him. He should be here, (He goes to the terrace window) Ab, that must be he. (A swarthy man in uniform with a sash across his chest is standing, bewil- dered, on the terrace. Kreton opens the glass doors) Come in, sir, come in, Your Excellency. Good of you to come oa ‘such short notice, (Man enters) ‘an (In Spanish accent) : Where am I? KRETON: You are the President, aren't you? MAN: OF course I am the President. What am I doing here? I ‘was dedicating a bridge and Lfind myself... ERETON (Aware of hls mistake): Ob, deat! Where was the bridge? aan: Where do you think, you idiot, in Paraguay! KRETON (To others): I seem to've made a mistake. Wrong ‘President. (Gestures and the man disappears) Seemed rather upset, didn’t he? youn: You ean make people come and go just like that? KRETON: Just like that. Powers looks into room from the study. PoweRs: Good morning, Mr. Kreton. Could I see you for a ‘moment? xneTon: By all mens. He crosses to the study, pnp: [believe Lam going mad, Cut 10 study. The Aide stonds at attention while Powers addresses Kreton. OWERS: . . . and so we feel, the government of the United States feels, that this problem is too big for any one country, therefore we are turning the whole affair over to Paul Laurent, the Secretary-General of tho World Council. KRETON: Very sensible. T should've thought of that myself, oweRs: Mr. Laurent is on his way here now. And I may add, ‘Mr. Kreton, you've made mo look singularly ridiculous, xxeTon: I'm awfully sorry. (Pause) No, you can't kill me. Powers: You were reading my mind again. KRETON: I can't really belp it, you know. And such black ‘thoughts today, but intense, very intense, 238vowsrs: I regard you as a menace. nptow: I know you do and I think it's awfully unkind, I do mean well powers: Then go back where you came from and leave us alone. KRETON: I'm afraid I can't do that just yet « Phone rings, the Aide answers it Aue: He's outside? Sure, let him through. (To Powers) The ‘Secretary-General of the World Couneil is here, sit. powsns (To Kreton): 1 hope you'll listen to him. ERETON: Oh, J shall, of course. I love listening. The door opens and Paul Laurent, middle-aged and serene, ‘enters. Powers and his Aide stand to aitention. Kreton goes Jorward 10 shake hands. auranT: Mr. Kreton? xxeTON: At your service, Mr. Laurent. Laurent: T welcome you to this planet in the name of the ‘World Council. xReTON: Thank you sir, thank you. LAURENT: Could you leave us alone for a moment, General? POWERS: Yes, sir. Powers and Aide go. Leurent smiles at Kreton, LAURANT: Shale sit down? KKETON: Yes, yes I love sitting down. I'm afraid my manners ‘are not quite suitable, yet. They sit down. zaunent: Now, Mr. Kreton, in violation of all the rules of ageinst the rules of course. visiToR (To Ellen): Kreton isa ratty among us. Mentally and morally be is retarded. He is a child and he regards your period as his toy, XRETON: A.child, now really! ‘istron: He escaped from his nursery and eame back in time toyeu... XABION: And everything went wrong, everything! I wanted to Visit 1860... . that’s my rea! period but then something hap. pened to the car and T ended up here, not that I don't find ‘you nearly as interesting but. wisrror: We must go, Kreton, Knetow (To Ellen): You di like me just abit, didn’t you? ELLEN: Yes, yes I did, until you let your hobby get oul of hand, (To Visitor) What is the future like? visiron: Very serene, very different XAgrON: Don't believe him: itis dull dll, ull beyond belief! One simply floats through eternity: no wats, n0 excite. ment. wistToR: It is forbidden to discuss these matters. aero: I cant see what difference it makes since she's going toforget all about us anyway. PLLEN: Oh, how I'd love to see the future... VisttoR: It is against. RETON: Against the Fules: how tiresame, you are. (To Ellen) But, alas, you can never pay us a eall beeause you arent orn yet! Y mean where we are you are not, Ob, Ellen, dean, think kindly of me, util you forget. Puen: Iwill, 247 ‘istron: Come. Time has begun to tur back. Time is bending, He starts to door, Kreton turns conspiratorialy 10 Ellen, ‘aurToN: Don't be sad, my gil. 1 shall be back one bright day, bbut a bright day in’ 1860. 1'dote on the Civil Wary 30 ex! citing... visttoR: Kretont RETON: Only next time I think il be more fun if the South wins! He hurries ater the Visitor, (Cut t0 clock as the hands spin Backwards, Dissolve to the living room, exactly the same as the first scene: Spelding, Mrs. Spelding, Elion, sretpina: There is nothing wrong with marrying a wealthy ‘man. The horror of it has always eluded me. However, my oly wish is that you marry someone hard-working, andy, tious, a man who'll make his mark in the world. Not a boy Who is content to sit on a farm all his life, rowing poo- English walauts! And ho won't just sit there, SreLpiva: Will you stop contradicting me? PLLEN: But, Daddy, John grows walnuts. « John enter orn: Hello, everybody. 2uns, SeRLDING: Good evening, Toko, BLLEN: What Kept you, darling? You missed Daddy's broad- cast. {JOUN: T saw it before I teft home. Wonderful broadcast, sir. SrexpiN: Thank you, John. John crosses to window. ou’: That meteor you were talking about, well, for a while jt looked almost like a space ship of something, You ean just barely seeitnow. Eilon joins him at window, They watch, arms about one an- SPELDRVa: Space shipt Nonsense! Remarkable what some peo- ple will believe, want to believe, Besides, a2 T said inthe broadcast: if there's any traveling to be done in space we'll doit fst, He notices Kreton's handkerchief on sofa and picks tt up. They all look at it, puzeled, as we cut 10 stock shot of the ‘Starry night against which two space ships vanish in the dis. tance, one serene in its course, the other erratic, as we fade 248