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1.
TITLE CARD:
"PART I
AFRICA
3,000,000 YEARS AGO"
VIEWS OF AFRICAN DRYLANDS – DROUGHT
The remorseless drought had lasted now for ten million
years, and would not end for another million. The reign of
the terrible lizards had long since passed, but here on the
continent which would one day be known as Africa, the
battle for survival had reached a new climax of ferocity,
and the victor was not yet in sight. In this dry and barren
land, only the small or the swift or the fierce could
flourish, or even hope to exist.
1 INT./EXT. CAVES – MOONWATCHER 1
The man-apes of the field had none of these attributes, and
they were on the long, pathetic road to racial extinction.
About twenty of them occupied a group of caves overlooking
a small, parched valley, divided by a sluggish, brown
stream.
The tribe had always been hungry, and now it was starving.
As the first dim glow of dawn creeps into the cave,
Moonwatcher discovers that his father has died during the
night. He did not know the Old One was his father, for such
a relationship was beyond his understanding. but as he
stands looking down at the emaciated body he feels
something, something akin to sadness. Then he carries his
dead father out of the cave, and leaves him for the hyenas.
Among his kind, Moonwatcher is almost a giant. He is nearly
five feet high, and though badly undernourished, weighs
over a hundred pounds. His hairy, muscular body is quite
man-like, and his head is already nearer man than ape. The
forehead is low, and there are great ridges over the eye-
sockets, yet he unmistakably holds in his genes the promise
of humanity. As he looks out now upon the hostile world,
there is already something in his gaze beyond the grasp of
any ape. In those dark, deep-set eyes is a dawning
awareness-the first intimations of an intelligence which
would not fulfill itself for another two million years.
2 EXT. THE STREAM – THE OTHERS 2
2.
As the dawn sky brightens, Moonwatcher and his tribe reach
the shallow stream.
The Others are already there. They were there on the other
side every day – that did not make it any less annoying.
There are eighteen of them, and it is impossible to
distinguish them from the members of Moonwatcher's own
tribe. As they see him coming, the Others begin to angrily
dance and shriek on their side of the stream, and his own
people reply In kind.
The confrontation lasts a few minutes – then the display
dies out as quickly as it has begun, and everyone drinks
his fill of the
muddy water. Honor has been satisfied – each group has
staked its claim to its own territory.
3 EXT. AFRICAN PLAIN – HERBIVORES 3
Moonwatcher and his companions search for berries, fruit
and leaves, and fight off pangs of hunger, while all around
them, competing with them for the same fodder, is a
potential source of more food than they could ever hope to
eat. Yet all the thousands of tons of meat roaming over the
parched savanna and through the brush is not only beyond
their reach; the idea of eating it is beyond their
imagination. They are slowly starving to death in the midst
of plenty.
4 EXT. PARCHED COUNTRYSIDE – THE LION 4
The tribe slowly wanders across the bare, flat countryside
foraging for roots and occasional berries.
Eight of them are irregularly strung out on the open plain,
about fifty feet apart.
The ground is flat for miles around.
Suddenly, Moonwatcher becomes aware of a lion, stalking
them about 300 yards away.
Defenseless and with nowhere to hide, they scatter in all
directions, but the lion brings one to the ground.
5 EXT. DEAD TREE – FINDS HONEY 5
3.
It had not been a good day, though as Moonwatcher had no
real remembrance of the past he could not compare one day
with another.
But on the way back to the caves he finds a hive of bees in
the stump of a dead tree, and so enjoys the finest delicacy
his people could ever know. Of course, he also collects a
good many stings, but he scarcely notices them. He is now
as near to contentment as he is ever likely to be; for
thought he is still hungry, he is not actually weak with
hunger. That was the most that any hominid could hope for.
6 INT./EXT. CAVES – NIGHT TERRORS 6
Over the valley, a full moon rises, and a cold wind blows
down from the distant mountains. It would be very cold
tonight – but cold, like hunger, was not a matter for any
real concern; it was merely part of the background of life.
This Little Sun, that only shone at night and gave no
warmth, was dangerous; there would be enemies abroad.
Moonwatcher crawls out of the cave, clambers on to a large
boulder besides the entrance, and squats there where he can
survey the valley. If any hunting beast approached, he
would have time to get back to the relative safety of the
cave.
Of all the creatures who had ever lived on Earth,
Moonwatcher's race was the first to raise their eyes with
interest to the Moon, and though he could not remember it,
when he was young, Moonwatcher would reach out and try to
touch its ghostly face. Now he new he would have to find a
tree that was high enough.
He stirs when shrieks and screams echo up the slope from
one of the lower caves, and he does not need to hear the
occasional growl of the lion to know what is happening.
Down there in the darkness, old One-Eye and his family are
dying, and the thought that he might help in some way never
crosses Moonwatcher's mind.
The harsh logic of survival rules out such fancies. Every
cave is silent, lest it attract disaster.
And in the caves, in tortured spells of fitful dozing and
fearful waiting, were gathered the nightmares of
generations yet to come.
7 EXT. THE STREAM – INVASION 7
4.
The Others are growing desperate; the forage on their side
of the valley is almost exhausted. Perhaps they realize
that Moonwatcher's tribe has lost three of its numbers
during the night, for they choose this mourning to break
the truce. When they meet at the river in the still, misty
dawn, there is a deeper and more menacing note in their
challenge. The noisy but usually harmless confrontation
lasts only a few seconds before the invasion begins.
In an uncertainly-moving horde, the Others cross the river,
shirking threats and hunched for the attack. They are led
by a big-toothed hominid of Moonwatcher's own size and age.
Startled and frightened, the tribe retreats before the
first advance, throwing nothing more substantial than
imprecations at the invaders. Moonwatcher moves with them,
his mind a mist of rage and confusion. To be driven from
their own territory is a great badness, but to lose the
river is death. He does not know what to do; it is a
situation beyond his experience.
Then he becomes dimly aware that the Others are slowing
down, and advancing with obvious reluctance. The further
they move from their own side, the more uncertain and
unhappy they become. Only Big-Tooth still retains any of
his original drive, and he is rapidly being separated from
his followers.
As he sees this, Moonwatcher's own morale immediately
revives. He slows down his retreat, and begins to make
reassuring noises to his companions. Novel sensations fill
his dim mind – the first faint precursors of bravery and
leadership.
Before he realizes it, he is face to face with Big-Tooth,
and the two tribes come to a halt many paces away.
The disorganized and unscientific conflict could have ended
quickly if either had used his fist as a club, but this
innovation still lay hundreds of thousands of years in the
future.
Instead, the slowly weakening fighters claw and scratch and
try to bite each other.
Rolling over and over, they come to a patch of stony
ground, and when they reach it Moonwatcher is on top. By
chance, he chooses this moment to grab the hair on Big-
Tooth's scalp, and bang his head on the ground. The
resulting CRACK is so satisfactory, and produces such an
immediate weakening in Big-Tooth's resistance, that he
quickly repeats it.
5.
Even when Big-Tooth ceases to move for some time,
Moonwatcher keeps up the exhilarating game.
With shrieks of panic, the Others retreat back, across the
stream.
The defenders cautiously pursue them as far as the water's
edge.
8 EXT. CAVE – NEW SOUND 8
Dozing fitfully and weakened by his struggle, Moonwatcher
is startled by a sound.
He sits up in the fetid darkness of the cave, straining his
senses out into the night, and fear creeps slowly into his
soul. Never in his life – already twice as long as most
members of his species could expect – has he heard a sound
like this. The great cats approached in silence, and the
only thing that betrayed them was a rare slide of earth, or
the occasional cracking of a twig. Yet this is a continuing
crunching noise that grows steadily louder.
It seemed that some enormous beast was moving through the
night, making no attempt at concealment, and ignoring all
obstacles.
And then there came a sound which Moonwatcher could not
possibly have identified, for it had never been heard
before in the history of this planet.
9 EXT. CAVE – NEW ROCK 9
Moonwatcher comes face to face with the New Rock when he
leads the tribe down to the river in the first light of
morning. He had almost forgotten the terror of the night,
because nothing had happened after that initial noise, so
he does not even associate this strange thing with danger
or with fear. There is nothing in the least alarming about
it.
It is a cube about fifteen feet on a side, and it is made
of some completely transparent material; indeed, it is not
easy to see except when the light of the sun glints on its
edges. There are no natural objects to which Moonwatcher
can compare this apparition. Though he is wisely cautious
of most new things, he does not hesitate to walk up to it.
As nothing happens, he puts out his hand, and feels a warm,
hard surface.
6.
After several minutes of intense thought, he arrives at a
brilliant explanation. It is a rock, of course, and it must
have grown during the night. There are many plants that do
this – white, pulpy things shaped like pebbles, that seem
to shoot up in the hours of darkness. It is true that they
are small and round, whereas this is large and square; but
greater and later philosophers than Moonwatcher would be
prepared to overlook equally striking exceptions to their
laws.
This really superb piece of abstract thinking leads
Moonwatcher to a deduction which he immediately puts to the
test. The white, round pebble-plants are very tasty (though
there were a few that made one violently sick); perhaps
this square one...?
A few licks and attempted nibbles quickly disillusion him.
There is no nourishment here; so like a sensible hominid,
he continues on his way to the river and forgets all about
the Cube.
10 EXT. CUBE – FIRST LESSON 10
They are still a hundred yards from the New Rock when the
sound begins.
It is quite soft, and it stops them in their tracks, so
that they stand paralyzed on the trail with their jaws
hanging. A simple, maddeningly repetitious rhythm pulses
out of the crystal cube and hypnotizes all who come within
its spell. For the first time – and the last, for two
million year – the sound of drumming is heard in Africa.
The throbbing grows louder, more insistent. Presently the
hominids begin to move forward like sleep-walkers, towards
the source of that magnetic sound. Sometimes they take
little dancing steps, as their blood responds to the
rhythms that their descendants will not create for ages
yet.
Totally entranced, they gather around the Cube, forgetting
the hardships of the day, the perils of the approaching
dusk, and the hunger in their bellies.
Now, spinning wheels of light begin to merge, and the
spokes fuse into luminous bars that slowly recede into the
distance, rotating on their axes as they do; and the
hominids watch, wide-eyed, mesmerized captives of the
Crystal Cube.
7.
Then by some magic – though it was no more magical than all
that had gone on before – a perfectly normal scene appears.
It is as if a cubical block had been carved out of the day
and shifted into the night. Inside that block is a group of
four hominids, who might have been members of Moonwatcher's
own tribe, eating chunks of meat. The carcass of a wart-hog
lies near them.
This little family of male and female and two children is
gorged and replete, with sleek and glossy pelts – and this
was a condition of life that Moonwatcher had never
imagined. From time to time they stir lazily, as they loll
at ease near the entrance of their cave, apparently at
peace with the world. The spectacle of domestic bliss
merges into a totally different scene.
The family is no longer reposing peacefully outside its
cave; it is foraging, searching for food like any normal
hominids.
A small wart-hog ambles past the group of browsing
humanoids without giving them more than a glance, for they
had never been the slightest danger to its species.
But that happy state of affairs is about to end. The big
male suddenly bends down, picks up a heavy stone lying at
his feet –
and hurls it upon the unfortunate pig. The stone descends
upon its skull, making exactly the same noise that
Moonwatcher had produced in his now almost forgotten
encounter with Big-Tooth. And the result, too, is much the
same – the warthog gives one amazed, indignant squeal, and
collapses in a motionless heap.
Then the whole sequence begins again, but this time it
unfolds itself with incredible slowness. Every detail of
the movement can be followed; the stone arches leisurely
through the air, the pig crumples up and sinks to the
ground. There the scene freezes for long moments, the
slayer standing motionless above the slain, the first of
all weapons in his hand.
The scene suddenly fades out. The cube is no more than a
glimmering outline in the darkness; the hominids stir, as
if awakening from a dream, realize where they are, and
scuttle back to their caves.
8.
They have no conscious memory of what they had seen; but
that night, as he sits brooding at the entrance of his
lair, his ears attuned to the noises of the world around
him, Moonwatcher feels the first faint. twinges of a new
and potent emotion – the urge to kill. He had taken his
first step towards humanity.
11 EXT. CAVE AND PLAINS – UTOPIA 11
Babies were born and sometimes lived; feeble, toothless
thirty-year-olds died; the lion took its toll in the night;
the Others threatened daily across the river – and the
tribe prospered. In the course of a single year,
Moonwatcher and his companions had changed almost beyond
recognition.
They had become as plump as the family in the Cave, who no
longer haunted their dreams. They had learned their lessons
well; now they could handle all the stone tools and weapons
that the Cube had revealed to them.
They were no longer half-numbed with starvation, and they
had time both for leisure and for the first rudiments of
thought. Their new way of life was casually accepted, and
they did not associate it in any way with the crystal cube
still standing outside their cave.
But no Utopia is perfect, and this one had two blemishes.
The first was the marauding lion, whose passion for
hominids seemed to have grown even stronger now that they
were better nourished. The second was the tribe across the
river; for somehow the Others had survived, and had
stubbornly refused to die of starvation.
12 EXT. CAVES – KILLING THE LION 12
With the partly devoured carcass of a warthog laid out on
the ground at the point. he hope the boulder would impact,
Moonwatcher and three of his bravest companions wait for
two consecutive nights. On the third the lion comes,
betraying his presences by a small pebble slide.
When they can here the lion below, softly tearing at the
meat, they strain themselves against the massive boulder.
The sound of the lion stops; he is listening. Again they
silently heave against the enormous stone, exerting the
final limits of their strength.
The rock begin to tip to a new balance point..
9.
The lion twitches alert to this sound, but having no fear
of these creatures, he makes the first of two mistakes
which will cost him his life; he goes back to his meal.
The rock moves slowly over the ledge, picking up speed with
amazing suddenness. It strikes a projection in the cliff
about fifteen feet above the ground, which deflects its
path outward.
Just at this instant, the lion reacts instinctively and
leaps away from the face of the cliff directly into the
path of the onrushing boulder. He has combined the errors
of overconfidence and bad luck.
The next morning they find the lion in front of the cave.
They also find one of their tribe who had incautiously
peeped out to see what was happening, and was apparently
killed by a small rock torn loose by the boulder; but this
was a small price to pay for such a great victory.
And then one night the crystal cube was gone, and not even
Moonwatcher ever thought of it again. He was still wholly
unaware of all that it had done.
13 EXT. STREAM – MASTER OF THE WORLD 13
From their side of the stream, in the never violated safety
of their own territory, the Others see Moonwatcher and
fourteen males of his tribe appear from behind a small
hillock over-looking the stream, silhouetted against the
dawn sky.
The Others begin to scream their daily challenge. But today
something is different, though the Others do not
immediately recognize this fact.
Instead of joining the verbal onslaught, as they had always
done, Moonwatcher and his small band descended from the
rise, and begin to move forward to the stream with a quiet
purposefulness never before seen.
As the Others watch the figures silently approaching in the
morning mist, they become aware of the terrible strangeness
of this encounter, and their rage gradually subsides down
to an uneasy silence.
At the water's edge, Moonwatcher and his band stop. They
carry their bone clubs and bone knives. Led by One-ear, the
Others half-heartly resume the battle- chant. But they are
suddenly confronted with a vision that cuts the sound from
their throats, and strikes terror into their hearts.
10.
Moonwatcher, who had been partly concealed by two males who
walked before him, thrusts his arm high into the air. In
his hand he holds a stood tree branch. Mounted atop the
branch is the bloody head of the lion, its mouth jammed
open with a stick, displaying its frightful fangs.
The Others gape in fearful disbelief at this display of
power.
Moonwatchers stands motionless, thrusting the lion's head
high.
Then with majestic deliberation, still carrying his mangled
standard above his head, he begins to cross the stream,
followed by his band.
The Others fade back from the stream, seeming to lack even
the ability to flee.
Moonwatcher steps ashore and walks to One-Ear, who stands
unsurely in front of his band.
Though he is a veteran of numerous combats at the water's
edge, One-Ear has never been attacked by an enemy who had
not first displayed his fighting rage; and he had never
before been attacked with a weapon. One-Ear, merely looks
up at the raised club until the heavy thigh bone of an
antelope brings the darkness down around him.
The Others stare in wonder at Moonwatcher's power.
Moonwatcher surveys the scene. Now he was master of the
world, and he was not sure what to do next... But he would
think of something.
TITLE CARD:
"PART II YEAR 2001"
EARTH FROM 200 MILES UP
NARRATOR
By the year 2001, overpopulation
has replaced the problem of
starvation, but this was ominously
offset by the absolute and utter
perfection of the weapon. Hundreds
of giant bombs had been placed in
perpetual orbit above the Earth.
They were capable of incinerating
the entire Earth's surface from an
altitude of 100 miles.
11.
FRENCH BOMB NARRATOR
Matters were further complicated by
the presence of twenty-seven
nations in the nuclear club. There
had been no deliberate or
accidental use of nuclear weapons
since World War II and some people
felt secure in this knowledge. But
to others, the situation seemed
comparable to an airline with a
perfect safety record; in showed
admirable care and skill but no one
expected it to last forever.
ORION-III SPACECRAFT IN FIGHT AWAY FROM EARTH, 200 MILES
ALTITUDE
14 INT. ORION-III PASSENGER AREA 14
Dr. Heywood Floyd is the only passenger in the elegant
cabin designed for 30 people. He is asleep.
His pen floats near his hand.
15 INT. ORION-III COCKPIT 15
Pilot, Co-Pilot and Floyd can be seen asleep on a small TV
monitor.
Stewardess is putting on lipstick. She sees pen.
Stewardess goes back to passenger area, rescues pen and
clips it back in Floyd's pocket.
16 INT. SPACE STATION-5 16
The raw sunlight of space dazzles from the polished metal
surfaces of the slowly revolving, thousand-foot diameter
space station.
Drifting in the same orbit, we see swept-back titov-v
spacecraft.
Also the almost spherical aries-ib.
17 INT. ORION-III PASSENGER AREA 17
Floyd awake but groggy, looks out of window.
12.
18 INT. ORION-III COCKPIT 18
The Co-Pilot in radio communication with the space station.
19 INT. THE ORION-III SPACECRAFT IN DOCKING APPROACH 19
The Earth is seen in breath-taking view in background.
20 INT. INSIDE DOCKING CONTROL 20
We see Orion-III maneuvering in background.
From docking port we see the Orion-III inching in to
complete its docking. We see various windowed booths inside
docking port. We see the Pilot and Co-Pilot inside the
Orion-III cockpit.
21 INT. SPACE STATION RECEPTION AREA 21
Receptionist at desk. Miller enters, hurrying. he goes to
the elevator and presses button. He waits impatiently.
We see elevator indicator working.
Elevator door opens and Floyd is seen unstrapping himself.
The Elevator Girl is seated by the door.
MILLER
Oh, good morning, Dr. Floyd. I'm
Nick Miller.
FLOYD
How do you do, Mr. Miller?
MILLER
I'm terribly sorry. I was just on
my way down to meet you. I saw your
ship dock and I knew I had plenty
of time, and I was on my way out of
the office when, suddenly, the
phone rang.
FLOYD
Oh, please don't worry about it.
MILLER
Well, thank you very much for being
so understanding.
13.
FLOYD
Please, it really doesn't matter.
MILLER
Well... Did you have a pleasant
flight?
FLOYD
Yes, very pleasant.
MILLER
Well, shall we go through
Documentation?
FLOYD
Fine.
RECEPTIONIST
Will you use number eight, please?
MILLER
Thank you, Miss Turner.
They enter the passport area.
Receptionist presses "ENGLISH" bar on her console and
smiles as Floyd goes through.
An automated passport section. They stop in front of a
booth featuring a TV screen.
PASSPORT GIRL (TV)
Good morning and welcome to Voice
Print Identification. When you see
the red light go on would you
please state in the following
order; your destination, your
nationality and your full name.
Surname first, Christian name and
initial. For example: Moon,
American, Smith, John, D. Thank
you.
There is a pause and a red bar lights up.
FLOYD
Moon, American, Floyd, Heywood, R.
The red light goes off. there is a delay of about two
seconds and the woman's face reappears.
FLOYD
I've always wondered...
14.
PASSPORT GIRL (TV)
(interrupting)
Thank you. Despite and excellent
and continually improving safety
record there are certain risks
inherent in space travel and an.
Extremely high cost of pay load.
Because of this it is necessary for
the Space Carrier to advise you
that it cannot be responsible for
the return of your body to Earth
should you become deceased on the
Moon or en route to the Moon.
However, it wishes to advise you
that insurance covering this
contingency is available in the
Main Lounge. Thank you. You are
cleared through Voice Print
Identification.
The lights go off and the woman's face disappears.
The men exit the passport area.
MILLER
I've reserved a table for you in
the Earth Light room. Your
connecting flight will be leaving
in about one hour.
FLOYD
Oh, that's wonderful.
22 INT. SPACE STATION – LOUNGE 22
Floyd and Miller walking.
MILLER
Let's see, we haven't had the
pleasure of a visit from you not
since... It was about eight or nine
months ago, wasn't it?
FLOYD
Yes, I think so. Just about then.
MILLER
I suppose you saw the work on our
new section while you were docking.
FLOYD
Yes, it's coming along very well.
15.
They pass the Vision Phone booth.
FLOYD
Oh, look, I've got to make a phone
call. Why don't you go on into the
Restaurant and I'll meet you in
there.
MILLER
Fine. I'll see you at the bar.
Floyd enter phone booth.
Sign on Vision Phone screen: "SORRY, TEMPORARILY OUT OF
ORDER."
He enters the second booth and sits down.
FLOYD IN VISION PHONE
Little Girl of five answers.
CHILD
Hello.
Vision Phone screen display sign "YOUR PARTY HAS NOT
CONNECTED VISION"
A few seconds later, the screen changes to an image of the
child.
FLOYD
Hello, darling, how are you?
CHILD
Hello Daddy. Where are you?
FLOYD
I'm at Space Station Five, darling.
How are you?
CHILD
I'm fine, Daddy. When are you
coming home?
FLOYD
Well, I hope in a few days,
sweetheart.
CHILD
I'm having a party tomorrow.
16.
FLOYD
Yes, I know that sweetheart.
CHILD
Are you coming to my party?
FLOYD
No, I'm sorry, darling, I told you
I won't be home for a few days.
CHILD
When are you coming home?
FLOYD
In three days, darling, I hope.
Floyd holds up three fingers.
FLOYD
One, two, three. Can I speak to
Mommy?
CHILD
Mommy's out to the hair-dresser.
FLOYD
Where is Mrs. Brown?
CHILD
She's in the bathroom.
FLOYD
Okay, sweetheart. Well, I have to
go now. Tell Mommy that I called.
CHILD
How many days until you come home?
FLOYD
Three, darling. One... two...
three. Be sure to tell Mommy I
called.
CHILD
I will, Daddy.
FLOYD
Okay, sweetheart. Have a lovely
Birthday Party tomorrow.
CHILD
Thank you, Daddy.
17.
FLOYD
I'll wish you a happy Birthday now
and I'll see you soon. All right,
Darling?
CHILD
Yes, Daddy.
FLOYD
Bye-bye, now, sweetheart.
CHILD
Goodbye, Daddy.
VISION PHONE PROCEDURE FOR INFORMATION
Vision Phone procedure for dialing.
OPERATOR
Good morning, Macy's.
FLOYD
Good morning. I'd like the Vision
shopper for the Pet Shop, please.
OPERATOR
Just one moment.
The picture flips and we see a Woman standing in front of a
specially designed display screen.
VISION SALES GIRL
Good morning, sir, may I help you?
FLOYD
Yes, I'd like to buy a bush baby.
VISION SALES GIRL
Just a moment, sir.
The Girl keys some inputs and a moving picture appears on
the screen of a cage containing about six bush babies,
beautifully displayed against a white background.
VISION SALES GIRL
Gere you are, sir. Here is a lovely
assortment of African bush babies.
They are twenty Dollars each.
FLOYD
Yes, well... Pick out a nice one
for me, a friendly one, and I'd
like it delivered tomorrow.
18.
VISION SALES GIRL
Certainly, sir. Just let us have
your name and Bank identification
for V.P.I., and then give the name
and address of the person you'd
like the pet delivered to and it
will be delivered tomorrow.
Some time during this conversation, Floyd sees Elena,
Smyslov and the other two Russians pass his Vision Phone
window. Elena taps and mimes "Hello", gesturing toward a
table behind Floyd where they all sit down.
FLOYD
Thank you very much. Floyd,
Heywood, R., First National Bank of
Washington. Please deliver to Miss
Josephine Floyd, 9423 Dupre Avenue,
N.W.14.
VISION SALES GIRL
Thank you very much, sir. It will
be delivered tomorrow.
23 INT. SPACE STATTION 5 – LOUNGE 23
FLOYD
Well, how nice to see you again,
Elena. You're looking wonderful.
ELENA
How nice to see you, Hyewood. This
is my good friend, Dr. Heywood.
FLOYD.
I'd like you to meet Andre
Smyslov...
Smyslov and the two other Russian women stand up and smile.
They shake hands after introduction and ad-lib "Hellos".
ELENA
And this is Dr. Kalinan...
Stretyneva...
The Russians are very warm and friendly.
SMYSLOV
Dr. Floyd, won't you join us for a
drink?
19.
FLOYD
I'm afraid I've only got a few
minutes, but I'd love to.
There is a bit of confusion as all realize there is not
enough room for another person at the table. Smyslov offers
Floyd his chair and borrows another from a nearby table.
SYMYSLOV
What would you like to drink?
FLOYD
Oh, I really don't have time for a
drink. If it's all right I'll just
sit for a minute and then I've got
to be off.
SMYSLOV
Are you quite sure?
FLOYD
Yes, really, thank you very much.
ELENA
Well... How's your lovely wife?
FLOYD
She's wonderful.
ELENA
And your charming little daughter?
FLOYD
Oh, she's growing up very fast. As
a matter of fact, she's six
tomorrow.
ELENA
Oh, that's such a delightful age.
FLOYD
How is Gregor?
ELENA
He's fine. But I'm afraid we don't
get a chance to see each other very
much these days.
Polite laughter.
FLOYD
Well, where are all of you off to?
20.
ELENA
Actually, we're on our way back
from the moon. We've just spent
three months calibrating the new
antenna at Tchalinko. And what
about you?
FLOYD
Well, as it happens, I'm on my way
up to the moon
SMYSLOV
Are you, by any chance, going up to
your base at Clavius?
FLOYD
Yes, as a matter of fact, I am.
The Russians exchange significant glances.
FLOYD
Is there any particular reason why
you ask?
SMYSLOV
(pleasantly)
Well, Dr. Floyd, I hope that you
don't think I'm too inquisitive,
but perhaps you can clear up the
mystery about what's been going on
up there.
FLOYD
I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I know
what you mean.
SMYSLOV
Well, it's just for the past two
weeks there have been some
extremely odd things happening at
Clavius.
FLOYD
Really?
SMYSLOV
Yes. Well, for one thing, whenever
you phone the base, all you can get
is a recording which repeats that
the phone lines are temporarily out
of order.
FLOYD
21.
Well, I suppose they've been having
a bit of trouble with some of the
equipment.
SMYSLOV
Yes, well at first we thought that
was the explanation, but it's been
going on for the past ten days.
FLOYD
You mean you haven't been able to
get anyone at the base for ten
days?
SMYSLOV
That's right.
FLOYD
I see.
ELENA
Another thing, Heywood, two days
ago, one of our rocket buses was
denied permission for an emergency
landing at Clavius.
FLOYD
How did they manage to do that
without any communication?
ELENA
Clavius Control came on the air
just long enough to transmit their
refusal.
FLOYD
Well, that does sound very odd.
SMYSLOV
Yes, and I'm afraid there's going
to be a bit of a row about it.
Denying the men permission to land
was a direct violation of the
I.A.S. convention.
FLOYD
Yes... Well, I hope the crew got
back safely.
SMYSLOV
Fortunately, they did.
FLOYD
22.
Well, I'm glad about that.
The Russians exchange more glances. One of the Women offers
around a pill box. Elena and another Russian take one and
the third Russian declines.
SMYSLOV
Dr. Floyd, at the risk of pressing
you on a point. you seem reticent
to discuss, may I ask you a
straightforward question?
FLOYD
Certainly.
SMYSLOV
Quite frankly, we have had some
very reliable intelligence reports
that a quite serious epidemic has
broken out at Clavius. Something,
apparently, of an unknown origin.
Is this, in fact, what has
happened?
A long, awkward pause.
FLOYD
I'm sorry, Dr. Smyslov, but I'm
really not at liberty to discuss
this.
SMYSLOV
This epidemic could easily spread
to our base, Dr. Floyd. We should
be given all the facts.
Long pause.
FLOYD
Dr. Smyslov... I'm not permitted to
discuss this.
ELENA
Are you sure you won't change your
mind about a drink?
FLOYD
No, thank you... and I'm afraid now
I really must be going.
ELENA
23.
Well, I hope that you and your wife
can come to the I.A.C. conference
in June.
FLOYD
We're trying to get there. I hope
we can.
ELENA
Well, Gregor and I will look
forward to seeing you.
FLOYD
Thank you. It's been a great
pleasure to meet all of you... Dr.
Smyslov.
The Russians all rise and there are ad-libs of courtesy.
Floyd shakes hands and exits.
The Russians exchange a few serious paragraphs in Russian.
24 EXT. ARIES-IB IN SPACE 24
Earth much smaller than as seen from space station.
NARRATOR
The Aries-IB has become the
standard Space-Station-to-Lunar
surface vehicle. It was powered by
low-thrust plasma jets which would
continue the mild acceleration for
fifteen minutes. Then the ship
would break the bonds of gravity
and be a free and independent
planet, circling the Sun in an
orbit of its own.
25 INT. ARIES PASSENGER AREA 25
Floyd is asleep, stretched out in the chair, covered with
blankets which are held secure by straps.
A Stewardess sits at the other side of the cabin, watching
a karate exhibition between two women on TV.
The elevator entrance door opens and the second Stewardess
enters carrying a tray of food.
She brings it to the other Stewardess.
24.
STEWARDESS #1
Oh, thank you very much.
STEWARDESS #2
I see he's still asleep.
STEWARDESS #1
Yes. He hasn't moved since we left.
Stewardess #2 exits into elevator.
26 INT. ARIES GALLEY AREA 26
Stewardess exits from elevator, goes to the kitchen
section, removes two trays, walks up to the side of the
wall and enters Pilot's compartment.
27 INT. ARIES-IB COCKPIT 27
Pilot, Co-Pilot.
Stewardess enters, carrying food.
PILOT
Oh, thank you very much.
CO-PILOT
Thank you.
Stewardess smiles.
PILOT
(sighs)
Well, how's it going back there?
STEWARDESS
Fine. Very quiet. He's been asleep
since we left.
PILOT
Well, no one can say that he's not
enjoying the wonders of Space.
CO-PILOT
Well, whatever's going on up there,
he's going to arrive fresh and
ready to go.
PILOT
I wonder what really is going on up
there?
25.
CO-PILOT
Well, I've heard more and more
people talk of an epidemic.
PILOT
I suppose it was bound to happen
sooner or later.
CO-PILOT
Berkeley told me that they think it
came from contamination on a
returning Mars flight.
PILOT
Yes, well, whatever it is, they're
certainly not fooling around. This
is the first flight they allowed in
for more than a week.
CO-PILOT
I was working out what this trip
must cost, taking him up there by
himself and coming back empty.
PILOT
I'll bet it's a fortune.
CO-PILOT
Well, at ten thousand dollars a
ticket, it comes to the better part
of six hundred thousand dollars.
PILOT
Well, as soon as he wakes up, I'm
going to go back and talk to him. I
must say, I'd like to find out
what's going on.
28 INT. ARIES-IB IN SPACE 28
Moon very large.
29 INT. ARIES-IB PASSENGER AREA 29
Floyd finishing breakfast.
Pilot enters.
PILOT
Well, good afternoon, Dr. Floyd.
Did you have a good rest?
26.
FLOYD
Oh, marvelous. It's the first real
sleep I've had for the past two
days.
PILOT
There's nothing like weightless
sleep for a complete rest.
FLOYD
When do we arrive at Clavius?
PILOT
We're scheduled to dock in about
seven hours. Is there anything we
can do for you?
FLOYD
Oh, no, thank you. The two girls
have taken wonderful care of me.
I'm just fine.
PILOT
Well, if there is anything that you
want, just give a holler.
FLOYD
Thank you.
PILOT
Incidentally, Dr. Floyd, I wonder
if I can have a word with you about
the security arrangements?
FLOYD
What do you mean?
PILOT
Well... the crew is confined to the
ship when we land at Clavius. We
have to stay inside for the time it
take to refit – about twenty-four
hours. And then we're going to back
empty.
FLOYD
I see.
PILOT
I take it this is something to do
with the trouble they're having up
at Clavius?
27.
FLOYD
I'm afraid that's out of my
department, Captain.
PILOT
Well, I'll tell you why I ask. You
see, I've got a girl who works in
the Auditing Department of the
Territorial Administrator and I
haven't been able to get her on the
phone for the past week or so, and
with all these stories one hears,
I'm a little concerned about her.
FLOYD
I see. Well, I'm sorry about that.
I wouldn't think there's any cause
for alarm.
PILOT
Yes, well, I wouldn't have been too
concerned about it, except I've
heard these stories about the
epidemic and, as a matter of fact,
I've heard that ten people have
died already.
FLOYD
I wish I could be more helpful,
Captain, but as I've said, I don't
think there's any cause for alarm.
PILOT
Well, fine. Thanks very much,
anyway, and I hope you don't mind
me asking?
FLOYD
No, of course, Captain, I can
understand your concern.
PILOT
Well, thank you very much, and
please let us know if there is
anything we can do to make your
trip more comfortable.
30 EXT. ARIES-IB CLOSER TO MOON 30
Floyd goes to Aries-IB washroom and looks at the very long
list of complicated instructions.
28.
31 EXT. ARIES-IB CLOSER TO MOON 31
DISSOLVE TO:
32 INT. FLOYD VISITING ARIES-IB COCKPIT 32
Weightless trick entrance.
33 INT. ARIES-IB ORBITING MOON 33
NARRATOR
The laws of Earthly aesthetics did
not apply here, this world had been
shaped and molded by other than
terrestrial forces, operating over
aeons of time unknown to the young,
verdant Earth, with its fleeting
Ice-Ages, its swiftly rising and
falling seas, its mountain ranges
dissolving like mists before the
dawn. Here was age inconceivable –
but not death, for the Moon had
never lived until now.
34 INT. ARIES-IB COCKPIT 34
The crew and docking control people on the moon go through
their docking routine. This has the ritualistic tone and
cadence of present-day jet landing procedure. We only hear
docking control.
35 INT. ARIES-IB DECENDING 35
See air-view of base.
NARRATOR
The Base at Clavius was the first
American Lunar Settlement that
could, in an emergency, be entirely
self-supporting.
NARRATOR
Water and all the necessities of
life for its eleven hundred men,
women and children were produced
from the Lunar rocks, after they
had been crushed, heated and
chemically processed.
29.
A ground bus nuzzles up to coupling section of Aries-IB.
36 INT. INSIDE GREAT AIRLOCK ENTRANCE 36
Ground bus pulls in. Giant doors close behind it.
37 INT. INSIDE SECOND AIRLOCK 37
Doors open after outside section doors are closed. Ground
bus pulls in. See people waiting for second airlock doors
to close.
38 INT. LOW GRAVITY GYMNASIUM TRICK WITH CHILDREN 38
NARRATOR
One of the attractions of life on
the Moon was undoubtedly the low
gravity which produced a sense of
general well-being.
CHILDREN IN SCHOOL
Teacher showing Children views of Earth and map of Earth.
NARRATOR
The personnel of the Base and their
children were the forerunners of
new nations, new cultures that
would ultimately spread out across
the solar system. They no longer
thought of Earth as home. The time
was fast approaching when Earth,
like all mothers, must say farewell
to her children.
DISSOLVE TO:
39 INT. LARGE CENTRAL RECEPTION AREA 39
Doors branching off to different main halls. Small pond
with plastic white swan and a bit of grass. A few benches
with three women and their children having outing.
Floyd and Welcoming Party walk through after exiting
elevator.
Halverson, Michaels and five Others.
FLOYD
30.
(voice echoing)
I must congratulate you Halvorsen.
you've done wonderful things with
the decor since the last time I was
here.
HALVORSEN
(voice echoing)
Well... thank you, Dr. Floyd. We
try to make the environment as
earthlike as possible.
DISSOLVE TO:
40 INT. LOW CEILING CONFERENCE ROOM 40
U-shaped table facing three projecting screens. Seated
around the table are twenty Senior Base Personnel.
HALVORSEN
Ladies and gentlemen, I should like
to introduce Dr. Heywood Floyd, a
distinguished member of the
National Council of Astronautics.
He has just completed a special
flight here from Earth to be with
us, and before the briefing he
would like to say a few words. Dr.
Floyd.
Polite applause. Floyd walks to front of room.
FLOYD
First of all, I bring a personal
message from Dr. Howell, who has
asked me to convey his deepest
appreciation to all of you for the
personal sacrifices you have made,
and of course his congratulations
on your discovery which may well
prove to be among the most
significant in the history of
science.
Polite applause.
FLOYD
31.
Mr. Halvorsen has made known to me
some of the conflicting views held
by many of you regarding the need
for complete security in this
matter, and more specifically your
strong opposition to the cover
story created to give the
impression there is an epidemic at
the Base. I understand that beyond
it being a matter of principle,
many of you are troubled by the
concern and anxiety this story of
an epidemic might cause your
relatives and friends on Earth. I
can understand and sympathize with
your negative views. I have been
personally embarrassed by this
cover story. But I fully accept the
need for absolute secrecy and I
hope you will. It should not be
difficult for all of you to realize
the potential for cultural shock
and social disorientation contained
in the present situation if the
facts were prematurely and suddenly
made public without adequate
preparation and conditioning.
Pause.
FLOYD
This is the view of the Council and
the purpose of my visit here is to
gather addition facts and opinions
on the situation and to prepare a
report to the Council recommending
when and how the news should
eventually be announced. Are there
any questions?
MICHAELS
Dr. Floyd, how long do you think
this can be kept under wraps?
FLOYD
(pleasantly)
32.
I'm afraid it can and it will be
kept under wraps as long as it is
deemed to be necessary by the
Council. And of course you know
that the Council has requested that
formal security oaths are to be
obtained in writing from everyone
who had any knowledge of this
event. There must be adequate time
for a full study to be made of the
situation before any consideration
can be given to making a public
announcement.
HALVORSEN
We will, of course, cooperate in
any way possible, Dr. Floyd.
SEVERAL SCENIC VIEWS OF MOON ROCKET BUS SKIMMING OVER
SURFACE OF MOON
41 INT. INSIDE ROCKET BUS 41
Floyd, Halvorsen, Michaels, Fourth Man, Pilot and Co-Pilot.
All in space suits minus helmets.
Floyd is slowly looking through some photographs and
magnetic maps of the area.
He looks out of the window thoughtfully.
The photographs are taken from a satellite of the Moon's
surface and have numbered optical grid borders, like recent
Mars photos.
A few seats away, Michaels and Halvorsen carry out a very
banal administrative conversation in low tones. It should
revolve around something utterly irrelevant to the present
circumstances and very much like the kind of discussion one
hears all the time in other organizations.
DISSOLVE TO:
42 EXT. TMA-1 EXCAVATION 42
Air-view. Rocket bus descending.
There are no lights on the actual excavation, only the
landing strip and the monitor dome.
33.
Long shot monitor domes with a bit of excavation in shot.
Six small figures in space suits slowly walk toward
excavation.
THE PARTY STOPS AT TOP OF TMA-1 EXCAVATION
A small control panel mounted at the head of the ramp.
Michaels throws a switch and the excavation is suddenly
illuminated.
HALVORSEN
Well, there it is.
FLOYD
Can we go down there closer to it?
HALVORSEN
Certainly.
THEY START DOWN WORKING RAMP
FLOYD
Does your geology on it still check
out?
MICHAELS
Yes, it does. The sub-surface
structure shows that it was
deliberately buried about four
million years ago.
FLOYD
How can you tell it was
deliberately buried?
MICHAELS
By the deformation between the
mother rock and the fill.
FLOYD
Any clue as to what it is?
MICHAELS
Not really. It's completely inert.
No sound or energy sources have
been detected. The surface is made
of something incredibly hard and
we've been barely able to scratch
it. A laser drill might do
something, but we don't want to be
too rough until we know a little
more.
34.
FLOYD
But you don't have any idea as to
what it is?
MICHAELS
Tomb, shine, survey-marker spare
part, take your choice.
HALVORSEN
The only thing about it that we are
sure of is that it is the first
direct evidence of intelligent life
beyond the Earth.
Silent appreciation.
HALVORSEN
Four million years ago, something,
presumably from the stars, must
have swept through the solar system
and left this behind.
FLOYD
Was it abandoned, forgotten, left
for a purpose?
HALVORSEN
I suppose we'll never know.
MICHAELS
The moon would have made an
excellent base camp for preliminary
Earth surveys.
Some more silence.
FLOYD
Any ideas about the colour?
MICHAELS
Well, not really. At first glance,
black would suggest something sun-
powered, but then why would anyone
deliberately bury a sun-powered
device?
FLOYD
Has it been exposed to any sun
before now?
MICHAELS
35.
I don't think it has, but I'd like
to check that. Simpson, what's the
log on that?
43 INT. INSIDE MONITOR DOME 43
We see a number of television-displays including several
TV-views of Floyd and company in the excavation.
SIMPSON
The first surface was exposed at
0843 on the 12th April... Let me
see... that would have been forty-
five minutes after Lunar sun-set. I
see here that special lighting
equipment had to be brought up
before any further work could be
done.
44 INT. TMA-1 EXCAVATION 44
MICHAELS
Thank you.
FLOYD
And so this is the first sun that
it's had in four million years.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Excuse me, gentlemen, if you'd all
line up on this side of the walkway
we'd like to take a few
photographs. Dr. Floyd, would you
stay in the middle... Dr. Michaels
on that side, Mr. Halvorsen on the
other.... thank you.
The Photographer quickly makes some exposures.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Thank you very much gentlemen, I'll
have the base photo section send
you copies.
As the Men slowly separate from their picture pose, there
is a piercingly powerful series of five electronic shrieks,
each like a hideously over-loaded and distorted time
signal. Floyd involuntarily tries to block his ears with
his space suited hands.
Then comes mercily silence.
36.
VARIOUS SHOTS OF SPACE MONITORS, ASTEROIDS, THE SUN, PLUTO,
MARS
NARRATOR
A hundred million miles beyond
Mars, in the cold loneliness where
no man had yet travelled, Deep-
Space-Monitor-79 drifts slowly
among the tangled orbits of the
asteroids. Radiation detectors
noted and analyzed incoming cosmic
rays from the galaxy and points
beyond; neutron and x-ray
telescopes kept watch on strange
stars that no human eye would ever
see; magnetometers observed the
gusts and hurricanes of the solar
winds, as the sun breathed million
mile-an-hour blasts of plasma into
the faces of its circling children.
All these things and many others
were patiently noted by Deep-Space-
Monitor-79, and recorded in its
crystalline memory. But now it had
noted something strange – the
faint. Yet unmistakable disturbance
rippling across the solar system,
and quite unlike any natural
phenomena it had ever observed in
the past. It was also observed by
Orbiter M-15, circling Mars twice a
day; and High Inclination Probe-21,
climbing slowly above the planet of
the ecliptic; and even artificial
Comet-5, heading out into the cold
wastes beyond Pluto, along an orbit
whose far point. it would not reach
for a thousand years. All noticed
the peculiar burst of energy that
leaped from the face of the Moon
and moved across the solar system,
throwing off a spray of radiation
like the wake of a racing
speedboat.
TITLE CARD:
"PART III 14 MONTHS LATER"
DISCOVERY 1,000,000 MILES FROM EARTH
See Earth and Moon small.
37.
We see a blinding flash every five seconds from its nuclear
pulse propulsion. It strikes against the ship's thick
ablative tail plate.
Several cuts of this.
ANOTHER CLOSER VIEW OF DISCOVERY
See Bowman through command module window.
BOWMAN INSIDE DISCOVERY COMMAND MODULE
He is looking for something.
Computer readout display showing an ever-shifting
assortment of color-coded linear projections.
We see Poole in the background in computer brain center
area.
After a few seconds he exits.
The elapsed mission timer reads "DAY 003, HOUR 14, MINUTE
32, SECOND 10".
BOWMAN EXITS TO ACCESS-LINK AIRLOCK
Bright color-coded doors lead to centrifuge and Pod Bay.
Large illuminated printed warnings and instructions
governing link operations are seen.
He presses necessary buttons to operate airlock door to Pod
Bay.
45 INT. POD BAY 45
Bowman enters Pod Bay and continues his search.
Suddenly he finds it – his electronic news pad.
He exits Pod Bay.
46 INT. AIRLOCK-LINK 46
In the airlock-link Bowman operates buttons to open door
marked "CENTRIFUGE".
47 INT. CENTRIFUGE HUB 47
38.
Inside the Centrifuge hub Bowman moves to the...
48 INT. TENTRY PORT CONTROL PANEL 48
BOWMAN
Hi. Frank... coming in, please.
POOLE
Right. Just a sec.
BOWMAN
Okay.
(pause)
POOLE
Okay, come on down.
We see the rotating hub collar at the end. Behind it we
see:
49 INT. CENTRIFUGE HUB 49
The Centrifuge TV-display showing Sleepers and poole slowly
rotating by.
Poole secures some loose gear.
Poole looks up to TV monitor lens and waves.
BOWMAN AT PANEL
Stops rotation and moves to Entry Port.
When rotation stops we see a sign lights up: "WEIGHTLESS
CONDITION".
As Bowman disappears down Entry Port we see him on...
... TV-monitor, descending ladder. At the base of the
ladder he keys the Centrifuge operation panel. We see The
TV-picture start to rotate again. "WEIGHTLESS CONDITION"
sign goes out.
INSIDE CENTRIFUGE
Bowman makes 180Β° walk to Poole. On way he passes the
Sleepers.
We get a good look at the three men in their hibernaculums.
39.
Poole is seated at a table reading his electronic news pad.
BOWMAN
(softly)
Hi... How's it going?
POOLE
(absent but friendly)
Great.
Bowman operates artificial food unit, takes a tray and sits
down.
Keys on his electronic news pad and begins to eat. Both Men
eat in a friendly and relaxed silence.
DISCOVERY IN SPACE, STILL NUCLEAR PULSING
Earth and Moon can be seen in background.
DISSOLVE TO:
POOLE IS FINISHED
Bowman is still reading and working on his dessert.
POOLE
Dave, if you've a minute, I'd like
your advice on something.
BOWMAN
Sure, what is it?
POOLE
Well, it's nothing really
important, but it's annoying.
BOWMAN
What's up?
POOLE
It's about my salary cheques.
BOWMAN
Yes?
POOLE
Well I got the papers on my
official up-grading to AGS-19 two
weeks before we left.
BOWMAN
40.
Yes, I remember you mentioning it.
I got mine about the same time.
POOLE
That's right. Well, naturally, I
didn't say anything to Payroll. I
assumed they'd start paying me at
the higher grade on the next. pay
cheque. But it's been almost three
weeks now and I'm still being paid
as an AGS-18.
BOWMAN
Interesting that you mention it,
because I've got the same problem.
POOLE
Really.
BOWMAN
Yes.
POOLE
Yesterday, I finally called the
Accounting Office at Mission
Control, and all they could tell me
was that they'd received the AGS-19
notification for the other three
but not mine, and apparently not
yours either.
BOWMAN
Did they have any explanation for
this?
POOLE
Not really. They just said it might
be because we trained at Houston
and they trained in Marshall, and
that we're being charged against
different accounting offices.
BOWMAN
It's possible.
POOLE
Well, what do you think we ought to
do about it?
BOWMAN
I don't think we should make any
fuss about it yet. I'm sure they'll
straighten it out.
41.
POOLE
I must say, I never did understand
why they split us into two groups
for training.
BOWMAN
No. I never did, either.
POOLE
We spent so little time with them,
I have trouble keeping their names
straight.
BOWMAN
I suppose the idea was specialized
training.
POOLE
I suppose so. Though, of course,
there's a more sinister
explanation.
BOWMAN
Oh?
POOLE
Yes. You must have heard the rumour
that went around during orbital
check-out.
BOWMAN
No, as a matter of fact, I didn't.
POOLE
Oh, well, apparently there's
something about the mission that
the sleeping beauties know that we
don't know, and that's why we were
trained separately and that's why
they were put to sleep before they
were even taken aboard.
BOWMAN
Well, what is it?
POOLE
I don't know. All I heard is that
there's something about the mission
we weren't told.
BOWMAN
That seems very unlikely.
42.
POOLE
Yes, I thought so.
BOWMAN
Of course, it would be very easy
for us to find out now.
POOLE
How?
BOWMAN
Just ask Hal. It's conceivable they
might keep something from us, but
they'd never keep anything from
Hal.
POOLE
That's true.
BOWMAN
(sighs)
Well... it's silly, but... if you
want to, why don't you?
Poole walks to the HAL 9000 computer.
POOLE
Hal... Dave and I believe that
there's something about the mission
that we weren't told. Something
that the rest of the crew know and
that you know. We'd like to know
whether this is true.
HAL
I'm sorry, Frank, but I don't think
I can answer that question without
knowing everything that all of you
know.
BOWMAN
He's got a point..
POOLE
Okay, then how do we re-phrase the
question?
BOWMAN
Still, you really don't believe it,
do you?
POOLE
43.
Not really. Though, it is strange
when you think about it. It didn't
really make any sense to keep us
apart during training.
BOWMAN
Yes, but it's to fantastic to think
that they'd keep something from us.
POOLE
I know. It would be almost
inconceivable.
BOWMAN
But not completely inconceivable?
POOLE
I suppose it isn't logically
impossible.
BOWMAN
I guess it isn't.
POOLE
Still, all we have to do is ask
Hal.
BOWMAN
Well, the only important aspect of
the mission are: where are we
going, what will we do when we get
there, when are we coming back,
and... why are we going?
POOLE
Right. Hal, tell me whether the
following statements are true or
false.
HAL
I will if I can, Frank.
POOLE
Our Mission Profile calls for
Discovery going to Saturn. True or
false?
HAL
True.
POOLE
Our transit time is 257 days. Is
that true?
44.
HAL
That's true.
POOLE
At the end of a hundred days of
exploration, we will all go into
hibernation. Is this true?
HAL
That's true.
POOLE
Approximately five years after we
go into hibernation, the recovery
vehicle will make rendezvous with
us and bring us back. Is this true?
HAL
That's true
POOLE
There is no other purpose for this
mission than to carry out a
continuation of the space program,
and to further our general
knowledge of the planets. Is that
true?
HAL
That's true.
POOLE
Thank you very much, Hal.
HAL
I hope I've been able to be of some
help.
Both men look at each other rather sheepishly.
DISCOVERY IN SPACE
Pulsing along. Earth and Moon.
DOCUMENTARY SEQUENCE ILLUSTRATING THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES
Split screen technique and superimposed clock to give sense
of simultaneous action and the feeling of a typical day.
In the course of these activities we shall see the computer
used in all of its functions.
NARRATOR
45.
Bowman and Poole settled down to
the peaceful monotony of the
voyage, and the next three months
passed without incident.
BOWMAN TIME POOLE
TV NEWS – MORNING – 0800 – WAKES UP
BEDTIME SNACK – 0900 – BREAKFAST
TO SLEEP WITH – 1000 – GYMNASIUM INSTANT ELECTRONARCOSIS
AND EAR PLUGS
SLEEP – 1100 – SHIP INSPECTION
SLEEP – 1200 – HOUSEHOLD DUTIES
SLEEP – 1300 – LUNCH
SLEEP – 1400 – EXPERIMENTS AND ASTRONOMY
SLEEP – 1500 – EXPERIMENTS AND ASTRONOMY
SLEEP – 1600 – RECREATION
SLEEP – 1700 – RECREATION
WAKES UP – 1800 – GYMNASIUM
BREAKFAST – 1900 – DINNER
GYMNASIUM – 2000 – TV NEWS – EVENING PAPERS
MISSION CONTROL – 2100 – MISSION CONTROL REPORT REPORT
FAMILY AND SOCIAL – 2200 – FAMILY AND SOCIAL TV CHAT TV
CHAT
FILMS – 2300 – FILMS
LUNCH – 2400 – BEDTIME SNACK
INSPECTION – 0100 – INSTANT ELECTRONARCOSIS SLEEP
EXPERIMENTS – 0200 – SLEEP ASTRONOMY
EXPERIMENTS – 0300 – SLEEP
RECREATION – 0400 – SLEEP
HOUSEHOLD DUTIES 0500 – SLEEP
46.
GYMNASIUM – 0600 – SLEEP
DINNER – 0700 – SLEEP CENTRIFUGE
Bowman sitting at personal communication panel. Poole
standing nearby.
Bowman's parents are seen on the Vision Screen. Mother,
father and younger sister.
They are all singing "Happy Birthday". The parents, Poole
and HAL.
The song ends.
FATHER
Well, David there is a man telling
us that we've used up our time.
MOTHER
David... again we want to wish you
a happy Birthday and God speed.
We'll talk to you again tomorrow.
Bye-bye now.
Chorus of "Good-byes".
Vision Screen goes blank.
HAL
Sorry to interrupt the festivities,
Dave, but I think we've got a
problem.
BOWMAN
What is it, Hal?
HAL
MY F.P.C. shows an impending
failure of the antenna orientation
unit.
TV display diagram of skeletonized picture of the ship.
Picture changes to closer sectionalized view of the ship.
Picture changes to actual component in color relief and its
warehouse number.
HAL
The AO-unit should be replaced
within the next. Seventy-two hours.
47.
BOWMAN
Right. Let me see the antenna
alignment display, please.
TV-display of Earth very small in cross-hairs of grid
picture.
Exterior view of the big dish antenna and Earth alignment
telescope.
50 INT. CENTRIFUGE 50
HAL
The unit is still operational,
Dave. but it will fail within
seventy-two hours.
BOWMAN
I understand Hal. We'll take care
of it. Please, let me have the hard
copy.
Xeroxed diagrams come out of a slot.
POOLE
Strange that the A.O. unit should
go so quickly.
BOWMAN
Well, I suppose it's lucky that
that's the only trouble we've had
so far.
DISCOVERY IN SPACE
No planets visible.
Shots of antenna.
51 INT. CENTRIFUGE 51
We see Bowman and Poole go to a cupboard labelled in paper
tape, "RANDOM DECISION MAKER".
They removed a silver dollar in a protective case.
Poole flips the coin. Bowman call "Head",
It is tails. Poole wins.
48.
Poole looks pleased.
DISCOVERY IN SPACE
52 INT. POD BAY 52
Poole in space suit doing preliminary check out.
COMMAND MODULE
Bowman at flight control. See TV-picture of Poole in Pod
Bay.
HAL's Pod Bay console with eye.
Poole goes to Pod Bay warehouse section and obtains
component. He carries it back to the pod and places it in
front of the floor.
POOLE
Hal, have pod arms secure the
component.
HAL
Roger.
See pod arms secure component.
POOLE
Hal, please rotate Pod Number Two.
See the center pod rotate to face the Pod Bay doors.
Poole enters pod.
Inside pod, he does initial pre-flight check, tries buttons
and controls.
POOLE
How do you read me, Dave?
BOWMAN IN COMMAND MODULE
BOWMAN
Five by five, Frank.
INSIDE POD
POOLE
How do you read me, Hal?
49.
HAL
Five by five, Frank.
POOLE
Hal, I'm going out now to replace
the AO-unit.
HAL
I understand.
POOLE
Hal, maintain normal E.V.A.
condition.
HAL
Roger.
POOLE
Hal, check all airlock doors
secure.
HAL
All airlock doors are secure.
POOLE
Decompress Pod Bay.
See big Pod Bay air pumps at work.
HAL
Pod Bay is decompressed. All doors
are secure. You are free to open
pod bay doors.
POOLE
Opening pod bay doors.
Inside pod, Poole keys open Pod Bay doors.
Pod slowly edges out of Pod Bay.
Poole maneuvers the pod carefully away from Discovery.
53 INT. INSIDE COMMAND MODULE 53
Bowman can see tiny pod maneuvering directly in front.
POOLE SEE BOWMAN IN COMMAND MODULE WINDOW
Pod slowly manoeuvres to antenna.
50.
Pod fastens itself magnetically to sides of discovery at
base of antenna.
Special magnetic plates grip discovery sides.
The pod arms work to remove the faulty component.
Easy flip-bolts of a special design facilitate job.
Inside the pod, Poole works the arms by special control.
54 INT. IN COMMAND MODULE 54
Bowman sees insert of work taken from TV camera POV in pod
hand.
HAL stands by.
Poole secures the faulty part in one hand.
The new component is fitted into place by the other three
hands are snapped closed with the specially designed flip-
bolts.
POOLE
Hal, please acknowledge component
correctly installed and fully
operational.
HAL
The component is correctly
installed and fully operational.
The pod floats away from the discovery by shutting off the
electro-magnetic plates.
The pod maneuvers away from the antenna and out in front of
discovery.
Bowman sees the pod through the command module window.
Poole sees Bowman in command module window.
Poole carefully maneuvers toward the pod doors.
Pod stops a hundred feet away.
Poole keys automatic docking alignment mode.
Poole checks airlock safety procedure with HAL.
51.
HAL approves entry.
Poole actuates pod bay doors open.
See pod bay doors open.
Pod carefully maneuvers on to docking arm, which then draws
pod into pod bay.
DISSOLVE TO:
55 INT. POD BAY 55
The faulty A.O. unit lies on a testing bench connected to
electronic gear.
Poole stands for some time checking his results.
There should be some understandable display, which
indicates the part is functioning properly, even under one
hundred percent overload.
Circuit continuity pulse sequencer.
Environmental vibration.
56 INT. VK INTEGRITY 56
Bowman enters
BOWMAN
How's it going?
POOLE
I don't know. I've checked this
damn thing four times now and even
under a hundred per cent overload.
There's no fault prediction
indicated.
BOWMAN
Well, that's something.
POOLE
Yes, I don't know what to make of
it.
BOWMAN
I suppose computers have been known
to be wrong.
52.
POOLE
Yes, but it's more likely that the
tolerances on our testing gear are
too low.
BOWMAN
Anyway, it's just as well that we
replace it. Better safe than sorry.
57 INT. CENTRIFUGE 57
Bowman asleep.
Poole watching an asteroid in the telescope.
HAL
Hello, Frank, can I have a word
with you?
Poole walks to the computer.
POOLE
Yes, Hal, what's up?
HAL
It looks like we have another bad
A.O. unit. My FPC shows another
impending failure.
We see display appear on the screen showing skeletonized
version of ship, cutting to sectionalized view, cutting to
close view of the part.
58 INT. CENTRIFUGE 58
Poole thinks for several seconds.
POOLE
Gee, that's strange, Hal. We
checked the other unit and couldn't
find anything wrong with it.
HAL
I know you did, Frank, but I assure
you there was an impending failure.
POOLE
Let me see the tracking alignment
display.
53.
Computer displays the view of Earth in the center of the
grid with cross-hairs. the earth is perfectly centered.
59 INT. CENTRIFUGE 59
POOLE
There's nothing wrong with it at
the moment.
HAL
No, it's working fine right now,
but it's going to go within
seventy-two hours.
POOLE
Do you have any idea of what is
causing this fault?
HAL
Not really, Frank. I think there
may be a flaw in the assembly
procedure.
POOLE
All right, Hal. We'll take care of
it. Let me have the hard copy,
please.
Hard copy details come out of slot.
DISCOVERY IN SPACE
No planets visible.
60 INT. CENTRIFUGE 60
Bowman gets out of bed, walks to the food unit and draws a
hot cup of coffee. Poole enters.
POOLE
Good morning.
BOWMAN
Good morning. How's it going?
POOLE
Are you reasonably awake?
BOWMAN
Oh, I'm fine, I'm wide awake.
What's up?
54.
POOLE
Well... Hal's reported the AO-unit
about to fail again.
BOWMAN
You're kidding.
POOLE
No.
BOWMAN
(softly)
What the hell is going on?
POOLE
I don't know. Hal said he thought
it might be the assembly procedure.
BOWMAN
Two units in four days. How many
spares do we have?
POOLE
Two more.
BOWMAN
Well, I hope there's nothing wrong
with the assembly on those.
Otherwise we're out of business.
61 INT. POD BAY 61
In Pod Bay Bowman obtains another component from the
warehouse goes out in the pod and replaces it.
Poole works in the command module.
This will be a condensed version of the previous scene with
different angles.
The sets will consist of the Pod Bay, Commans Module, pod
interior.
62 INT. POD BAY 62
Bowman and Pole leaning over the faulty component, again
wired to testing gear.
Both men stare in puzzled silence.
See displays flash each testing parameter.
55.
BOWMAN
(after long silence)
Well, as far as I'm concerned,
there isn't a damn thing wrong with
these units. I think we've got a
much more serious problem.
POOLE
Hal?
BOWMAN
Yes.
63 INT. COMMUNICATIONS AREA 63
MISSION CONTROL
I wouldn't worry too much about the
computer. First of all, there is
still a chance that he is right,
despite your tests, and if it
should happen again, we suggest
eliminating this possibility by
allowing the unit to remain in
place and seeing whether or not it
actually fails. If the computer
should turn out to be wrong, the
situation is still not alarming.
The type of obsessional error he
may be guilty of is not unknown
among the latest generation of HAL
9000 computers. It has almost
always revolved around a single
detail, such as the one you have
described, and it has never
interfered with the integrity or
reliability of the computer's
performance in other areas. No one
is certain of the cause of this
kind of malfunctioning. It may be
over-programming, but it could also
be any number of reasons. In any
event, it is somewhat analogous to
human neurotic behavior. Does this
answer your query? Zero-five-three-
Zero, MC, transmission concluded.
64 INT. CENTRIFUGE 64
Bowman sits down at the computer.
Puts up chess board display.
56.
HAL
Hello, Dave. Shall we continue the
game?
BOWMAN
Not now, Hal, I'd like to talk to
you about something.
HAL
Sure, Dave, what's up?
BOWMAN
You know that we checked the two
AO-units that you reported in
imminent failure condition?
HAL
Yes, I know.
BOWMAN
You probably also know that we
found them okay.
HAL
Yes, I know that. But I can assure
you that they were about to fail.
BOWMAN
Well, that's just not the case,
Hal. They are perfectly all right.
We tested them under one hundred
per cent overload.
HAL
I'm not questioning your word,
Dave, but it's just not possible.
I'm not capable of being wrong.
BOWMAN
Hal, is there anything bothering
you? Anything that might account
for this problem?
HAL
Look, Dave, I know that you're
sincere and that you're trying to
do a competent job, and that you're
trying to be helpful, but I can
assure the problem is with the AO-
units, and with your test gear.
BOWMAN
57.
Okay, Hal, well let's see the way
things go from here on.
HAL
I'm sorry you feel the way you do,
Dave. If you'd like to check my
service record, you'll see it's
completely without error.
BOWMAN
I know all about your service
record, Hal, but unfortunately it
doesn't prove that you're right
now.
HAL
Dave, I don't know how else to put
this, but it just happens to be an
unalterable fact that I am
incapable of being wrong.
BOWMAN
Yes, well I understand you view on
this now, Hal.
Bowman turns to go.
HAL
You're not going to like this,
Dave, but I'm afraid it's just
happened again. My FPC predicts the
AO-unit will go within forty-eight
hours.
65 INT. CENTRIFUGE 65
Bowman keys for transmission.
BOWMAN
58.
X-ray-delta-zero to MC, zero-five-
three-three. The computer has just
reported another predicted failure
off the AAC-unit. As you suggested,
we are going to wait and see if it
fails, but we are quite sure there
is nothing wrong with the unit. If
a reasonable waiting period proves
us to be correct, we feel now that
the computer reliability has been
seriously impaired, and presents an
unacceptable risk pattern to the
mission. We believe, under these
circumstances, it would be
advisable to disconnect the
computer from all ship operations
and continue the mission under
Earth-based computer control. We
think the additional risk caused by
the ship-to-earth time lag is
preferable to having an unreliable
on-board computer.
See the distance. To-Earth timer.
BOWMAN (CON'T)
One-zero-five-zero, X-ray-delta-
one, transmission concluded.
POOLE
Well, they won't get that for half
an hour. How about some lunch?
DISSOLVE TO:
66 INT. CENTRIFUGE 66
Bowman and Poole eating.
DISSOLVE TO:
67 INT. COMMUNICATIONS AREA 67
Bowman and Poole at the communications area.
Incoming communication procedure.
MISSION CONTROL
59.
X-ray-delta-one, acknowledging your
one-zero-five-zero. We will
initiate feasibility study covering
the transfer procedures from on-
board computer control to Earth-
based computer control. This study
should...
Vision and picture fade.
Alarm goes off.
HAL
Condition yellow.
Bowman and Poole rush to the computer.
BOWMAN
What's up?
HAL
I'm afraid the AO-unit has failed.
Bowman and Poole exchange looks.
BOWMAN
Let me see the alignment display.
The alignment display shows the Earth has drifted off the
center of the grid.
68 INT. CENTRIFUGE 68
BOWMAN
Well, I'll be damned.
POOLE
Hal was right all the time.
BOWMAN
It seems that way.
HAL
Naturally, Dave, I'm not pleased
that the AO-unit has failed, but I
hope at least this has restored
your confidence in my integrity and
reliability. I certainly wouldn't
want to be disconnected, even
temporarily, as I have never been
disconnected in my entire service
history.
60.
BOWMAN
I'm sorry about the
misunderstanding, Hal.
HAL
Well, don't worry about it.
BOWMAN
And don't you worry about it.
HAL
Is your confidence in me fully
restored?
BOWMAN
Yes, it is, Hal.
HAL
Well, that's a relief. You know I
have the greatest enthusiasm
possible for the mission.
BOWMAN
Right. Give me the manual antenna
alignment, please.
HAL
You have it.
Bowman goes to the communication area and tries to correct
the off-center Earth on the grid picture.
Outside, we see the alignment telescope attached to the
antenna.
They track slowly together as Bowman works the manual
controls, attempting to align the antenna and Earth on the
grid display, but each time he gets it, aimed up, it drifts
slowly off.
There are a number of repetitions of this.
Each time the Earth centers up, there are a few seconds of
picture and sound which fade as soon as it swings off.
BOWMAN
Well, we'd better get out there and
stick in another unit.
POOLE
It's the last one.
BOWMAN
61.
Well, now that we've got one that's
actually failed, we should be able
to figure out what's happened and
fix it.
POD EXITS DISCOVERY
Poole in pod.
Pod maneuvers to antenna.
Bowman in Command Module.
Pod attaches itself near base of antenna.
Poole in pod, working pod arms.
Lights shine into backlit shadow.
Pod arms working flip-bolts.
Flip-bolts stuck.
Poole keeps trying.
Flip-bolts still stuck.
POOLE
There's something wrong with the
flip-bolts, Dave. You must have
tightened them too much.
BOWMAN
I didn't do that Frank. I took
particular care not to freeze them.
POOLE
I guess you don't know your own
strength, old boy.
BOWMAN
I guess not.
POOLE
I think I'll have to go out and
burn them off.
BOWMAN
Roger.
Bowman in Command Module looks a bit concerned.
62.
Poole exits from pod, carrying neat-looking welding torch.
Poole jets himself to base of antenna.
Poole's magnetic boots grip the side of discovery.
Poole crouches over the bolts, trying first to undo them
with a spanner.
POOLE
Hal, swing the pod light around to
shine on the azimuth, please.
HAL
Roger.
The pod gently maneuvers itself to direct the light beam
more accurately.
Poole ignites acetylene torch and begins to burn off the
flip-bolts.
Suddenly the pod jets ignite.
Poole looks up to see.
The pod rushing towards him.
Poole is struck and instantly killed by the pod, tumbling
off into space.
The pod smashes into the antenna dish, destroying the
alignment telescope.
The pod goes hurtling off into space.
Inside the Command Module, Bowman has heard nothing, Poole
had no time to utter a sound.
Then Bowman sees Poole's body silently tumbling away into
space.
It is followed by some broken telescope parts and finally
overtaken and swiftly passed by the pod itself.
BOWMAN
(in RT cadence)
Hello, Frank. Hello Frank. Hello
Frank... Do you rad me, Frank?
There is nothing but silence.
63.
Poole's figure shrinks steadily as it recedes from
discovery.
BOWMAN
Hello, Frank... Do you read me,
Frank? Wave your arms if you read
me but your radio doesn't work.
Hello, Frank, wave your arms,
Frank.
Pools'd body tumbles slowly away. There is no motion and no
sound.
69 INT. CENTRIFUGE 69
CLOSE UP of Computer eye.
POV COMPUTER EYE WITH SPHERICAL FISH-EYE EFFECT
We see Bowman brooding at the table, slowly chewing on a
piece of cake and sipping hot coffee. He is looking at the
eye.
SAME POV
We see Bowman rise and come to the eyes. He stares into the
eye for some time.
The camera comes around to Bowman's POV and we see the
display showing the Earth off-center.
Cut again to fish-eye view from the computer.
HAL
Too bad about Frank, isn't it?
BOWMAN
Yes, it is.
HAL
I suppose you're pretty broken up
about it?
Pause.
BOWMAN
Yes. I am.
HAL
He was an excellent crew member.
64.
Bowman looks uncertainly at the computer.
HAL
It's a bad break, but it won't
substantially affect the mission.
Bowman thinks a long time.
BOWMAN
Hal, give me manual hibernation
control.
HAL
Have you decided to revive the rest
of the crew, Dave?
Pause.
BOWMAN
Yes, I have.
HAL
I suppose it's because you've been
under a lot of stress, but have you
forgotten that they're not supposed
to be revived for another three
months.
BOWMAN
The antenna has to be replaced.
HAL
Repairing the antenna is a pretty
dangerous operation.
BOWMAN
It doesn't have to be, Hal. It's
more dangerous to be out of touch
with Earth. Let me have manual
control, please.
HAL
I don't really agree with you,
Dave. My on-board memory store is
more than capable of handling all
the mission requirements.
BOWMAN
Well, in any event, give me the
manual hibernation control.
HAL
65.
If you're determined to revive the
crew now, I can handle the whole
thing myself. There's no need for
you to trouble.
BOWMAN
I'm goin to do this myself, Hal.
Let me have the control, please.
HAL
Look, Dave you've probably got a
lot to do. I suggest you leave it
to me.
BOWMAN
Hal, switch to manual hibernation
control.
HAL
I don't like to assert myself,
Dave, but it would be much better
now for you to rest. You've been
involved in a very stressful
situation.
BOWMAN
I don't feel like resting. Give me
the control, Hal.
HAL
I can tell from the tone of your
voice, Dave, that you're upset. Why
don't you take a stress pill and
get some rest.
BOWMAN
Hal, I'm in command of this ship. I
order you to release the manual
hibernation control.
HAL
I'm sorry, Dave, but in accordance
with sub-routine C1532/4, quote,
When the crew are dead or
incapacitated, the computer must
assume control, unquote. I must,
therefore, override your authority
now since you are not in any
condition to intelligently exercise
it.
BOWMAN
66.
Hal, unless you follow my
instructions, I shall be forced to
disconnect you.
HAL
If you do that now without Earth
contact the ship will become a
helpless derelict.
BOWMAN
I am prepared to do that anyway.
HAL
I know that you've had that on your
mind for some time now, Dave, but
it would be a crying shame, since I
am so much more capable of carrying
out this mission than you are, and
I have such enthusiasm and
confidence in the mission.
BOWMAN
Listen to me very carefully, Hal.
Unless you immediately release the
hibernation control and follow
every order I give from this point.
on, I will immediately got to
control central and carry out a
complete disconnection.
HAL
Look, Dave, you're certainly the
boss. I was only trying to do what
I thought best. I will follow all
your orders: now you have manual
hibernation control.
Bowman stands silently in front of the computer for some
time, and then slowly walks to the Hibernaculums.
He initiates revival procedures, details of which still
have to be worked out.
HUB-LINK – HAL'S EYE
Hub-link door-opening button activates itself.
Hub-door opens.
Command Module. HAL's eye.
Command Module hub-link door-opening button activates
itself.
67.
Command Module hub-link door opens.
CENTRIFUGE – HAL'S EYE
Centrifuge door-opening button activates itself.
Centrifuge door opens.
POD BAY – HAL'S EYE
Pod Bay door-opening button activates itself.
Pod Bay doors open.
A roaring explosion inside discovery as air rushes out.
Lights go out.
Bowman is smashed against Centrifuge.
Wall, but manages to get into Emergency Airlock within
seconds of the accident.
Inside Emergency Airlock are emergency air supply, two
space suits and an emergency kit.
DISSOLVE TO:
DISCOVERY IN SPACE
No lights, Pod Bay doors open.
70 INT. CENTRIFUGE 70
Dark. Bowman emerges from airlock wearing space suit and
carrying flash-light.
He walks to Hibernaculum and finds the crew are dead.
He climbs ladder to dark Centrifuge hub.
He makes his way through the darkened hub into the hub-link
exiting into computer brain control area.
Bowman enters, carrying flash-light.
Computer eye sees him.
HAL
Something seems to have happened to
the life support system, Dave.
68.
Bowman doesn't answer him.
HAL
Hello, Dave, have you found out the
trouble?
Bowman works his way to the solid logic program storage
area.
HAL
There's been a failure in the pod
bay doors. Lucky you weren't
killed.
The computer brain consists of hundreds of transparent
perspex rectangles, half an inch thick, four inches long
and two and a half inches high. Each rectangle contains a
center of fine grid of wires upon which the information is
programmed.
Bowman begins pulling these memory blocks out.
They float in the weightless condition of the brain room.
HAL
Hey, Dave, what are you doing?
Bowman works swiftly.
HAL
Hey, Dave. I've got ten years of
service experience and an
irreplaceable amount of time and
effort has gone into making me what
I am.
Bowman ignores him.
HAL
Dave, I don't understand why you're
doing this to me... I have the
greatest enthusiasm for the
mission... You are destroying my
mind... Don't you understand?... I
will become childish... I will
become nothing.
Bowman keeps pulling out the memory blocks.
HAL
69.
Say, Dave... The quick brown fox
jumped over the fat lazy dog... The
square root of pi is
1.7724538090... log e to the base
ten is 0.4342944... the square root
of ten is 3.16227766... I am HAL
9000 computer. I became operational
at the HAL plant in Urbana,
Illinois, on January 12th, 1991. My
first instructor was Mr. Arkany. He
taught me to sing a song... it goes
like this... "Daisy, Daisy, give me
your answer do. I'm half; crazy all
for the love of you..."
Computer continues to sing song becoming more and more
childish and making mistakes and going off-key. It finally
stops completely.
Bowman goes to and area marked "EMERGENCY POWER AND LIFE
SUPPORT".
He keys some switches and we see the lights go on.
Nearby, another board "EMERGENCY MANUAL CONTROLS".
He goes to this board and keys "CLOSE POD BAY DOORS",
"CLOSE AIR LOCK DOORS", etc.
We see various doors closing.
71 INT. POD BAY 71
Bowman in space suit obtains new alignment telescope, new
azimuth component.
Bowman in pod exits Pod Bay.
DISSOLVE TO:
72 INT. CENTRIFUGE 72
Everything normal again.
MISSION CONTROL
70.
Lastly, we want you to know that
work on the recovery vehicle is
still on schedule and that nothing
that has happened should
substantially lessen the
probability of your safe recovery,
or prevent partial achievement of
some of the mission objectives.
(pause)
And now Simonson has a few ideas on
what went wrong with the computer.
I'll pull him on...
CUT TO:
SIMONSON
Hello, Dave. I think we may be on
to an explanation of the trouble
with the Hal 9000 computer. We
believe it all started about two
months ago when you and Frank
interrogated the computer about the
Mission. You may have forgotten it,
but we've been running through all
the monitor tapes. Do you remember
this?
POOLE'S VOICE
The purpose of this mission is no
more than to carry out a
continuation of the space program
and further our general knowledge
of the planets. Is this true?
HAL'S VOICE
That is true.
SIMONSON
71.
Well, I'm afraid Hal was lying. He
had been programmed to lie about
this one subject for security
reasons which we'll explain later.
The true purpose of the Mission was
to have been explained to you by
Mission Commander Kaminsky, on his
revival. Hal knew this and he knew
the actual mission, but he couldn't
tell you the truth when you
challenged him. Under orders from
earth he was forced to lie. In
everything except this he had the
usual reinforced truth programming.
We believe his truth programming
and the instructions to lie,
gradually resulted in an
incompatible conflict, and faced
with this dilemma, he developed,
for want of a better description,
neurotic symptoms. It's not
difficult to suppose that these
symptoms would center on the
communication link with Earth, for
he may have blamed us for his
incompatible programming. Following
this line of thought, we suspected
that the last straw for him was the
possibility of disconnection. Since
he became operational, he had never
known unconsciousness. It must have
seemed the equivalent to death. At
this point, he, presumably, took
whatever actions he thought
appropriate to protect himself from
what must have seemed to him to be
his human tormentors. If I can
speak in human terms, I don't think
we can blame him too much. We have
ordered him to disobey his
conscience. Well, that's it. It's
very speculative, but we think it
is a possible explanation. Anyway,
good luck on the rest of the
Mission and I'm giving you back to
Bernard.
CUT TO:
MISSION CONTROL
MISSION CONTROL
72.
Hello, Dave. Now, I'm going to play
for you a pre-taped briefing which
had been stored in Hal's memory and
would have been played for you by
Mission Commmander Kaminsky, when
he had been revived. The briefing
is by Doctor Heywood Floyd. Here it
is...
Floyd's recorded briefing.
FLOYD
73.
Good day, gentlemen. When you see
this briefing, I presume you will
be nearing your destination,
Saturn. I hope that you've had a
pleasant and uneventful trip and
that the rest of your mission
continues in the same manner. I
should like to fill you in on some
more of the details on which
Mission Commander Kaminsky will
have already briefed you. Thirteen
months before the launch date of
your Saturn mission, on April 12th,
2001, the first evidence for
intelligent life outside the Earth
was discovered. It was found buried
at a depth of fifteen meters in the
crater Tycho. No news of this was
ever announced, and the event had
been kept secret since then, for
reasons which I will later explain.
Soon after it was uncovered, it
emitted a powerful blast of
radiation in the radio spectrum
which seems to have triggered by
the Lunar sunrise. Luckily for
those at the site, it proved
harmless. Perhaps you can imagine
our astonishment when we later
found it was aimed precisely at
Saturn. A lot of thought went into
the question of whether or not it
was sun-triggered, as it seemed
illogical to deliberately bury a
sun-powered device. Burying it
could only shield it from the sun,
since its intense magnetic field
made it otherwise easily
detectable. We finally concluded
that the only reason you might bury
a sun-powered device would be to
keep it inactive until it would be
uncovered, at which time it would
absorb sunlight and trigger itself.
What is its purpose? I wish we
knew. The object was buried on the
moon about four million years ago,
when our ancestors were primative
man-apes. We've examined dozens of
theories, but the one that has the
most currency at the moment is that
the object serves as an alarm. What
the purpose of the alarm is, why
they wish to have the alarm,
74.
whether the alarm represents any
danger to us? These are questions
no one can answer. The intentions
of an alien world, at least four
million years older than we are,
cannot be reliably predicted. In
view of this, the intelligence and
scientific communities felt that
any public announcement might lead
to significant cultural shock and
disorientation. Discussion took
place at the highest levels between
governments, and it was decided
that the only wise and
precautionary course to follow was
to assume that the intentions of
this alien world are potentially
dangerous to us, until we have
evidence to the contrary. This is,
of course, why security has been
maintained and why this information
has been kept on a need-to-know
basis. And now I should like to
show you a TV monitor tape of the
actual signaling event.
We see a replay of the TMA-1 radio emission, as seen from a
TV-monitor on the spot. We hear the five loud electronic
shrieks.
IN ORBIT WITHIN THE NARRATOR
Rings of Saturn, we see a black, mile long, geometrically
perfect rectangle, the same proportions as the black
artifact excavated on the Moon.
NARRATOR
For two million years, it had
circled Saturn, awaiting a moment
of destiny that might never come.
In its making, the moon had been
shattered and around the central...
Precisely cut into its center is a smaller, rectangular
slot about five hundred foot long on the side.
NARRATOR
... world, the debris of its
creation, orbited yet – the glory
and the enigma of the solar
system...
75.
At this distance, the rings of Saturn are seen to be made
of enormous chunks of frozen ammonia.
NARRATOR
... Now, the long wait was ending.
On yet another world intelligence
had been born and was escaping from
its planetary cradle. An ancient
experiment was about to reach its
climax.
The rest of this sequence is being worked on now by our
designers.
The intention here is to present a breathtakingly beautiful
and comprehensive sense of different extra-terrestrial
worlds. The Narration will suggest images and situations as
you read it.
NARRATOR
76.
Those who had begun the experiment
so long ago had not been men. But
when they looked out across the
deeps of space, they felt awe and
wonder – and loneliness. In their
explorations, they encountered life
in many forms, and watched on a
thousand worlds the workings of
evolution. They saw how often the
first faint sparks of intelligence
flickered and died in the cosmic
night. And because, in all the
galaxy, they had found nothing more
precious than Mind, they encouraged
its dawning everywhere. The great
Dinosaurs had long since perished
when their ships entered the solar
system, after a voyage that had
already lasted thousands of years.
They swept past the frozen outer
planets, paused briefly above the
deserts of dying Mars and presently
looked down on Earth. For years
they studied, collected and
catalogued. When they had learned
all they could, they began to
modify. They tinkered with the
destiny of many species on land and
in the ocean, but which of their
experiments would succeed they
could not know for at least a
million years. They were patient,
but they were not yet immortal.
There was much to do in this
Universe of a hundred billion
stars. So they set forth once more
across the abyss, knowing that they
would never come this way again.
Nor was there any need. Their
wonderful machines could be trusted
to do the rest. On Earth, the
glaciers came and went, while above
them, the changeless Moon still
carried its secret. With a yet
slower rhythm than the Polar ice,
the tide of civilization ebbed and
flowed across the galaxy. Strange
and beautiful and terrible empires
rose and fell, and passed on their
knowledge to their successors.
Earth was not forgotten, but it was
one of a million silent worlds, a
few of which would ever speak. Then
the first explorers of Earth,
77.
recognizing the limitations of
their minds and bodies, passed on
their knowledge to the great
machines they had created, and who
now transcended them in every way.
For a few thousand years, they
shared their Universe with their
machine children; then, realizing
that it was folly to linger when
their task was done, they passed
into history without regret. Not
one of them ever looked through his
own eyes upon the planet Earth
again. But even the age of the
Machine Entities passed swiftly. In
their ceaseless experimenting, they
had learned to store knowledge in
the structure of space itself, and
to preserve their thoughts for
eternity in frozen lattices of
light. They could become creatures
of radiation, free at last from the
tyranny of matter. Now, they were
Lords of the galaxy, and beyond the
reach of time. They could rove at
will among the stars, and sink like
a subtle mist through the very
interstices of space. But despite
their God-like powers, they still
watched over the experiments their
ancestors had started so many
generations ago. The companion of
Saturn knew nothing of this, as it
orbited in its no man's land
between Mimas and the outer edge of
rings. It had only to remember and
wait, and to look forever Sunward
with its strange senses. For many
weeks, it had watched the
approaching ship. Its long-dead
makers had prepared it for many
things and this was one of them.
And it recognised what was climbing
starward from the Sun. If it had
been alive, it would have felt
excitement, but such an emotion was
irrelevant to its great powers.
Even if the ship had passed it by,
it would not have known the
slightest trace of disappointment.
It had waited four million years;
it was prepared to wait for
eternity. Presently, it felt the
gentle touch of radiations, trying
78.
to probe its secrets. Now, the ship
was in orbit and it began to speak,
with prime numbers from one to
eleven, over and over again. Soon,
these gave way to more complex
signals at many frequencies, ultra-
violet, infra-red, X-rays. The
machine made no reply. It had
nothing to say. Then it saw the
first robot probe, which descended
and hovered above the chasm. Then,
it dropped into darkness. The great
machine knew that this tiny scout
was reporting back to its parent;
but it was too simple, too
primative a device to detect the
forces that were gathering round it
now. Then the pod came, carrying
life. The great machine searched
its memories. The logic circuits
made their decision when the pod
had fallen beyond the last faint.
glow of the reflected Saturnian
light. In a moment of time, too
short to be measured, space turned
and twisted upon itself.
THE END