The Illustrated Man (1969) - full transcript
The Illustrated Man is classic Bradbury, a collection of eighteen startling visions of humankind's destiny, unfolding across a canvas of decorated skin, visions as keen as the tattooist's needle and as colorful as the inks that indelibly stain the body. The images, ideas, sounds and scents that abound in this phantasmagoric sideshow are provocative and powerful: the mournful cries of celestial travelers cast out cruelly into a vast space of stars and blackness, the sight of gray dust settling over a forgotten outpost on a road that leads nowhere, the pungent odor of Jupiter on a returning father's clothing. Here living cities take their vengeance, technology awakens the most primal natural instincts, Martian invasions are foiled by the good life and the glad hand, and dreams are carried aloft in junkyard rockets.
EACH PERSON WHO TRIES
TO SEE BEYOND HIS OWN TIME
MUST FACE QUESTIONS
TO WHICH THERE CANNOT YET BE
PROVEN ANSWERS.
Hey, thanks a lot.
Take it easy.
Hey, beau...
Hi.
What are you doing?
You, uh...
Boilin' coffee?
Yeah.
That's good.
THAT'S REAL GOOD.
You hoboing?
Uh, yeah, kind of.
I'm trying to get
to california.
Walking, hitchhiking --
uh, I'm getting there
kind of slow.
What's in california?
M-My older sister and
my brother-in-law in fresno.
Grapes?
I said, "grapes?"
My brother-in-law
works for sears and roebuck.
He's gonna get me in there.
Well, you know -- a job.
Pretty good job, too.
Where do you come from?
Horseheads, new york.
Yeah,
I know where that is.
You've been to horseheads?
No, I ain't never been
to horseheads,
but I've been
to the finger lakes district,
but that was, uh...
A long, long time ago...
Long ago.
Listen, uh...
You're going a long way
to find a job, ain't you?
Well, yeah.
There just wasn't anything
to keep me in horseheads.
Except maybe the scouts.
WELL, M-MY MOTHER DIED
JULY 24th OF PERITONITIS.
You a boy scout?
A scoutmaster --
troop 170, horseheads.
What's that?
That ain't nothin'.
My dog.
What?
I said it's my dog.
He's my buddy.
He must be roasting in there.
No, he's not roastin'.
HE LIKES IT HOT
LIKE I LIKE IT HOT.
I'm sorry.
I never saw a dog in a bag.
Maybe he has to go.
Maybe.
Gee, he's...Cute.
Yeah, well,
he's 14 years old.
Well,
he sure doesn't look it.
I know he don't.
What's his name?
His name is peke
like in pekingese.
He's a pomeranian,
isn't he?
No, he ain't.
He's a bum just like me.
We're two bums.
How, uh...
How long you been
in this part of the state?
Oh, almost two weeks.
I got a job on a dairy farm
not too far from here --
you know, to make
a little extra cash.
I'm a real good milker.
What's your name?
Willie.
Come here.
Come here!
Sit down.
Let me tell you somethin' --
when you meet anybody, don't
tell them you got any money
because they're liable
to kill you to get it.
It wasn't even $10 --
you tell them nothin'!
Yes, sir.
You ever seen a house
that looked like that?
Don't look at the hand!
Look at the house.
It looks like any ordinary,
little farmhouse to me.
SEE, THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPH THAT
I CUT OUT OF LIBERTY MAGAZINE.
Now, that's not
the exact house,
but it sure does look like
the one I'm lookin' for.
Yeah.
I doubt I ever seen it.
Come on, you, sit up!
Sit up for carl!
You little bastard.
This house, you see...
This house
has a post in front of it.
On that post,
there was a sign.
And on that sign it says,
"skin illustrations."
"Skin illustration."
Well --
listen to me!
You tell me, boy, and you
tell me god damned, too --
you ever seen the sign
that say that?
No --
are you sure?!
I'd remember something
like that.
I never saw anything
like that.
You're sure?!
I'm sure -- honest.
Well, I'm gonna find it.
I'm gonna find it.
Well, there m-must be a hundred
houses like that around here.
I'm only lookin' for one.
And I'm lookin' for the lady
that lives in it.
And when I find her...
...I'm gonna kill her.
Oh, yes.
Oh, yes.
I will kill her.
I know, you know.
Sometimes I know
where that house is...
Exactly.
I mean, it comes into my --
comes into my mind
as clear as a bell.
And then
I start goin' there,
and, uh...
Then I know that i'm
gettin' close to it
because I can feel it
inside of me.
I just know that i'm
gettin' close to it,
and then...
Just when I think
that I'm there...
...damn thing goes
right out of my head.
Maybe she moved.
Yeah.
Oh, boy! She moved --
she moved and she took
the whole blessed house
with her!
She moved, all right.
That was a long time ago.
A long time ago.
That was, uh...
...it was on labor day.
Tomorrow's labor day.
Same as any other day to me.
Well, not to me, it ain't.
- That's a garter snake.
- I'm gonna kill it.
It's a garter --
I'll kill it!
They're not gonna
hurt you!
Come on.
Come on!
Die!
Die!
Die!!
Die!!
Get it away from him.
No, no.
Let him eat it.
Do him some good --
maybe he'll sit up straighter.
They're good to have around.
They wouldn't hurt you.
They're no good for nothin'
any goddamn place in the world!
It's a snake, ain't it?!
I'll tell you
what I could use.
Boy, I could use some
good, cheap bourbon whiskey.
You got any of that?
No.
I love that. Peke don't
like it, but I love it.
Why would you
want to kill anybody?
You want to know why?
All right.
I'll show you why.
Oh, my god.
Well, go on!
Take a look!
Wow.
Pretty, ain't they?
I never saw
anything like that.
T-That's the most fantastic
thing I ever saw.
Is that what you meant by
skin illustrations -- tattoos?
They're not tattoos!
They're skin illustrations!
Don't you ever
call them tattoos!
Let me tell you.
Don't you look at those
illustrations too long
because they'll come alive,
and they'll tell you stories.
You remember that lady
that I was talkin' to you about?
Remember her?
I'll tell you what she did --
she created for me
my own private hell.
You see that blank space
on my back there? See it?
And now people
look into that...
And they see the future.
That's all well and good...
...BUT IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR
FUTURE, YOU MAY PAY A PRICE
because you may look and see
how you're gonna die!
You may look and see
what you're gonna look like
when you're old and rotten
and shriveled and mean!
But people don't like
to see that, do they?!
No they don't, so
after a while,
they don't like me,
and they grow to hate me!
Didn't you have any doubts
about getting tattooed
all over like that?
I wasn't thinkin' about
gettin' tattooed,
I was thinkin' about
gettin' laid,
AND THIS IS THE LAST TIME
I'M GONNA TELL YOU,
please...
Don't ever call them tattoos.
I'm sure I never saw
a house like that
with a sign like that
anywhere around here.
Well...
...maybe she went back
into the future someplace.
BACK INTO THE FUTURE?
That's what I said.
BACK INTO THE FUTURE.
Maybe a thousand years.
I was workin'
this 2-bit carnival.
I was puttin' up tents.
It was a hot day,
and there was this lion --
he was screamin', and this
elephant was answerin' back --
and I was horny that day.
I just had to get
out of there,
so I took myself
a little walk.
I walked along, and, uh...
I came to this place...
This house.
And there was
a post in front of it.
On that post was a sign,
and on that sign,
it said, uh...
"Skin illustrations."
"Skin illustrations."
Hello.
Hello.
Well, it's, uh...
It's kind of hot, ain't it?
Very.
Well, does it always get
this hot around labor day?
Sometimes.
Can I offer you
something cold to drink?
Well, water would be fine.
Got some lemonade already.
Come on in.
All right.
Come on.
Come on.
Nothing satisfies
like lemonade
when it's real hot
like this.
I guess you could
say that.
Hmm.
What a magnificently
strong hand.
Well,
I guess it got strong
swingin' the big hammer
at the carnival.
Hmm.
Carnival life
must be very exciting.
I also handle
the elephant shovel,
and I don't think
you could call that excitin'.
Come and sit down.
Over there?
Next to me.
Anyway, that's what I do.
I put tents up,
and then I take tents down,
and, well, that's about it.
Mm-hmm.
Anyway, uh...
You know,
sometimes when they, uh...
When they have a heavy day,
you see,
they let me --
hand.
When they have a heavy day,
they let me collect tickets.
And then -- or some days
when the day ain't too heavy,
they don't let me do nothin'.
Right there.
The very center.
I know
just what belongs there.
That's when I learned
what her name was.
"There's a rose,"
she said.
"A rose you'll always
carry in your hand.
A rose from felicia."
I think the rose
is just beautiful.
Yeah.
I haven't seen
anything like that --
even in the circus.
Circus?
Let me tell you somethin' --
there ain't a circus or
a carnival that would touch us.
I told you before,
these things come alive.
When they come alive,
they scare people.
Nobody's gonna hang around
and look at 'em.
I know they come alive because
I can feel them squirmin' --
movin' on my back.
I can't hear
what they're sayin',
but I can feel them movin'.
Peke don't hear nothin'
anyway
with his garter snakes
and little bugs.
But, boy,
I know they're there.
I still think the rose
is beautiful.
So did I.
So did I.
She knew everything...
AND SHE HAD BEEN EVERYWHERE.
There's a rose you'll
always carry in your hand --
a rose from felicia.
Come.
Come on.
Come and see it outside --
the colors
are so much more alive.
Come on.
Come over here.
Come here.
Tell me you love it.
I love it.
What's your name?
My name's carl.
Carl.
Tell me what you smell
right now --
right this very minute.
What I smell?
Mm-hmm.
Well, uh...
I smell dust
and, uh, I smell, uh...
Dry weeds...
Yeah. Something else?
Yeah, but I don't know,
unless you can say --
I kind of smell the heat.
That's right.
Now, try to imagine
all those smells...
Somewhere else.
Not here -- somewhere else.
Well, I don't know.
Where...
I could say where
the lions live in africa.
That's right.
Where the lions live.
Down in africa.
Right there, carl.
Right there.
Right there. Well...
I was the one
that said it.
Idiot me.
Oh, yeah, right there --
where the lions live
down in africa.
She had lived in the past,
she had lived in the future,
and she put it all on me.
They're filthy things.
The lions?
No, not the lions.
The stinking vultures.
I wanted you to see what i've
been seeing every day for weeks.
Well, I've seen it.
Come on -- let's go.
What do you suppose
they're feeding on?
I don't know.
Maybe a...Zebra, giraffe.
Something like that.
Come on, come on.
Carl...
Did you hear a scream?
No.
You didn't hear anything?
I didn't hear anything.
I don't want our children
to play here anymore, carl.
Please turn it off.
It's been the same
african veld for weeks now --
ever since you and johnny
had that argument.
All right.
I know that, I know that.
It was your idea to install
the playroom in the first place
so our children could work off
their natural hostility.
I'm sorry we ever bought
the damn thing.
So am I, but you're the one
that sold me
on the free-involvement theory
and instantaneous atmosphere.
If a child wants anything,
wishes it hard enough,
all he has to do is flip
a switch, and there you are.
Well...
Electronic image or not,
I don't like it.
We've got to
get rid of it, carl.
We'll have to talk
to the children first.
The children can go in there
and think of anything --
the past, the future.
THEY CAN THINK OF ANYTHING.
It could become destructive.
Apparently, the minister
of mental health
doesn't share
your protective attitude.
TO HELL WITH HIM! I DON'T WANT
TO EXPERIMENT WITH MY CHILDREN!
Then for the time being,
we'll consider the playroom
out of bounds.
All right?
Now, what we need
is a good stiff drink.
Maybe it's just me...
Just my imagination.
It's not your imagination.
It's the world we live in.
Everything's done for us.
You throw a glass
into the glass incinerator,
out comes
a freshly molded glass.
What's left for us to do?
The body functions? --
Sleep, sex.
What's left?
I don't know.
I don't know. Maybe it's
the stupid labor laws.
You can't work
more than six months a year,
so you mustn't upset
the great, planned global
balance of economy.
That's great for business,
isn't it?
What about the other
six months of the year?
I don't know.
Carl...
...make love to me.
Why?
Well, why?
Maybe this time,
it'll be different.
Who is it?
IT'S WILL McLEAN.
Caught you both
with a drink in your hand.
Don't tell me the sun's already
over the yardarm out there.
- Hello, will.
- How's it going?
Oh, putting in my time
talking to a lot of sick people.
I got a breakfast meeting
in havana tomorrow morning.
I thought I might stop
on my way back.
We'll be here.
Can you make it for lunch?
I'd love to.
How are the kids?
Great.
Well, carl doesn't share
my concern, but when you come,
I'd like to talk to you
about a possible problem.
Johnny.
Yeah, johnny, I think --
maybe both.
Listen, how long have you been
our mental health counselor?
Anna was 3.
Well, then you know
how sometimes a mother --
she, uh...
Gets overexcited about something
that may not exist.
It's that nursery, will.
It scares me.
Uh-oh.
What do you mean "uh-oh"?
What do you mean "uh-oh"?
Well, we've been having
our share of problems
in that area
of the free-involvement program.
Look, I'll talk about it
with you tomorrow, okay?
Okay.
See you about 1:00?
Around then.
Felicia...
...be well.
Bye.
Carl, felicia, we're home!
The science carnival
was great!
It's too far to go alone.
Too far?!
Get ready for dinner.
We're not hungry.
We ate at the carnival.
We just love bermuda.
We're going back
again tomorrow.
You're not going anywhere
unless I give you permission.
You too, young lady.
You go get ready for dinner.
All I know is that
when I was your age,
I wasn't allowed
to attach my space capsule
to any navigational beam
over 100 miles in distance.
I mean, not until I was over
16 years of age, anyway.
Suppose you
had to go 150 miles?
You just didn't go.
WHAT COULD THEY DO TO YOU
IF YOU DID?
What do you mean,
if you got caught?
Yeah.
Oh, they'd, uh...
Revoke your space license.
DID YOU THINK
THAT WAS FAIR THEN?
Since you're asking
so many questions,
let me ask you a question about
that fancy nursery of yours.
I don't know
what you're talking about.
I'm talking about africa,
and I'm talking about the lions.
There's no africa
in the nursery.
There isn't, huh?
I think it's
only fair to tell you
that your mother and I spent
a little time in there today.
I DON'T REMEMBER ANY AFRICA.
DO YOU, ANN?
Unh-unh.
Go see, ann,
and see if --
she doesn't have to go see.
We've both seen it already.
You're mistaken.
I'm mistaken.
We're gonna find out
who's mistaken.
You come with me,
young man.
Come on.
Let's go quick.
I've had enough of this.
Let's go felicia.
We'll find out
who's mistaken.
Whose idea is this?
Anna and I
play all the time here.
Uh-huh. Every day?
NOT EVERY DAY.
ALMOST EVERY DAY.
Almost every day.
I see.
Well, of course,
you, uh...
Do play in the african veld
from time to time, don't you?
I think we did once --
a long time ago.
Do you remember
how long ago, young lady?
A LONG TIME AGO --
MONTHS AND MONTHS AGO.
I see, I see.
I want to tell you
something now.
Your mother and I
know that you're lying.
- Carl, leave it alone.
- I don't care --
go get cleaned up.
- We're not that dirty --
- go get cleaned up!
Go on.
Do as your father says. Go on!
Obviously, our children are
trying to make fools out of us.
Well, carl,
will will be here tomorrow.
He'll --
he'll know what to do.
He's trained
to deal with these problems.
Well --
look, um,
I'll tell you what.
Let them play in here,
but don't say anything
about will coming.
All right.
And don't worry.
We'll straighten it out.
It's been like that
for weeks now --
just the way we found it.
What are they eating?
I don't know.
Vultures here all the time?
All the time.
It doesn't feel good, carl.
What do you mean,
"it doesn't feel good"?
Well, all children
get the feeling
that their parents
are persecuting them,
but this goes beyond that.
In what way?
WELL, JOHNNY AND ANNA
AREN'T RELEASING
DESTRUCTIVE THOUGHTS HERE
ANYMORE, THEY'RE EMBRACING THEM.
Embracing them?
There's a point
at which fantasy
becomes dangerously close
to reality.
Carl, rip it down.
Get rid of it.
I was wrong for recommending it
in the first place.
I realize that.
Let's get rid of it.
That's felicia's scarf.
That's my slipper.
The room will hate you
if you kill it!
Stop talking like that!
It has feelings, too!
You can't kill it!
I'm not killing anything!
It's not a human being!
It's a machine you can have
if you've got the money!
That's all it is,
so stop it!
Tomorrow dr. will is coming
to take us to therapy refuge
for a vacation.
Doesn't that please you?
No, it doesn't.
I like it here.
I'm not going to any place
where I have to do
everything myself.
You talk to your mother
in that tone of voice,
and I'll give you
a slap across the face
you'll never forget!
You better not.
Don't you
talk to me like that!
I'm not gonna have any son
of mine talk to me like that!
Go to bed!
Get going!
- I don't know.
- You don't know what?
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?
You're in this thing together,
and I know it!
Go on! Get out of here!
Go on! When I say go, go!
Leave her alone.
She's not causing any trouble.
THIS HOUSE IS LOADED
WITH TROUBLE!
The nursery -- that's trouble.
Go to bed when I tell you!
Johnny's right!
I'll certainly be glad
to get away for a while,
I'll tell you.
The thing I love about will --
he's so understanding.
I guess he is.
I guess he is.
Listen...
...just today,
before will called,
we were about to come up here
and make love.
Do you remember?
Were we?
Can I ask you a question?
Yeah.
How do you feel now?
No.
Carl! Felicia!
Come quickly! Hurry!
Mommy! Daddy!
Quick! Quick!
Mommy! Daddy!
Carl! Felicia!
Hurry!
Carl! Felicia!
Hurry! Quick!
Mommy! Mommy! Daddy!
Hurry! Hurry!
Daddy! Mommy!
Carl! Felicia!
Hurry!
Good morning!
Everybody ready?
Carl?
Felicia?
Where is everybody?
Johnny?
Carl?
Johnny?
Anna?
Where are your parents?
May I offer you
a cup of coffee...
Doctor?
Oh, my god.
You want a cup of coffee?
Hey!
Huh?
May I offer you
a cup of coffee?
Oh, yes, thank you.
I know what you're thinkin'.
The funny thing is
that women usually ask
that question before men do.
WELL, THE ANSWER IS YES --
I'M COVERED WITH PICTURES
from the neck
right down to the toes --
EVERYWHERE,
AND I MEAN EVERYWHERE.
Yes, sir...
Everywhere.
I REMEMBER THAT LADY.
Boy, she had lilacs
around her house
that in the heat
used to stink to high heaven
AND I MEAN
TO THE HIGH HEAVEN.
Man, they smelled so sweet,
they made you dizzy.
Did I tell you
about the lilacs?
No, I don't think so.
I didn't?
No, I don't think so.
They made you puke.
Yeah, you told me
about the lilacs.
I thought I did.
Oh.
Yeah, I remember her.
I remember it was about
this time of evenin',
and, uh...
I was sittin' there,
and...
All of a sudden, it hit me.
It hit me.
And that I had had enough.
I had just had enough.
I mean, I was -- heh!
Man, I was there
with the wherewithal.
I was ready, willin', and able.
I WAS MORE THAN ABLE,
AND --
then it dawned on me that
nothin' was gonna happen ever.
And there I was.
Boy, I was sittin' there
like a big idiot
with half my body
covered in...
Skin illustrations.
Skin illustrations.
All the time...
She knew
what she was doin'.
No more, thank you.
Why don't you sit down
and rest for a bit?
No, thank you.
That last one hurt.
No, thank you. I'm gonna
go back and I'm gonna r--
Rig the midway and...
...get ready
for the nighttime rubes.
When you coming back?
What?
When you coming back?
I don't know.
Maybe sometime tomorrow.
You're lying.
I am not! Don't you
ever call me a liar!
I NEVER LIE!
I NEVER LIE!
When I'm finished with you,
think of the money you can make!
You'll be more beautiful
than anyone!
- I'd be a freak!
- You'd be beautiful!
I would not be beautiful!
I would be a freak!
No, carl,
you'll be something special!
You'll be beautiful!
You'll matter!
Jesus christ!
These things don't come off!
I'm half a freak now!
Carl...
...let me finish.
You're not gonna
finish nothin'!
Did you let me touch you
for one second?! You did not!
What do you think I am,
some kind of stupid animal?!
You're a man, carl --
a man!
You never flinch
from pain!
Pain is part
of everything good.
Lie down.
I'll make you happier
than you've ever been
in your whole life.
You know what
I'm gonna put there?
What?
A rocket.
I'M GONNA LOOK LIKE
THE 4th OF JULY.
That's what I said.
I looked like the...
4th OF JULY.
What was the reason
you didn't leave
when you started to?
WHY HAVEN'T YOU LEFT?
Don't you get personal.
I'm sorry.
Shut up, now!
Come on, now!
Shut up!
All you do
is make noise in the world!
That's how you handle
little things, see?
You just yell at 'em,
and they shut up like a clam.
And that puts them
in their proper place.
Man, I don't like
little things.
I don't like bugs
and frogs and spiders
and creepy, crawly things
that zing out at you
and bite you
when you're not lookin'!
You know
what a tick looks like?
Sure. I've seen ticks.
Well, they're the worst
because they find you
no matter where you are,
and they creep up on you,
and they suck your blood, see!
Oh, they stink --
rotten things.
I don't like ticks either.
Yeah, neither do I.
Let me give you
a word of advice.
Don't get too personal
with me.
Okay.
I-I didn't mean
anything by it.
Yeah, that's enough, now.
I don't want to talk about it.
Peke,
it's time to go to bed.
That's a good dog.
Just say your prayers
and get a good night's sleep.
She's...
She's very beautiful,
isn't she?
You've seen her,
haven't you?
Haven't you?
Well?!
Haven't you?!
Yes.
Well, now you know.
I'll tell you one thing --
and I told her,
"lady,
you put anything on me,
"and I want it
to be big,
"and I want it
to have power,
"and I want it
to have energy like a...
A rocket."
How long have we been here?
Six days.
CAN'T BE SIX DAYS --
IT'S MORE THAN SIX DAYS.
Just six days.
CAN'T BE SIX DAYS --
IT'S MORE THAN SIX DAYS.
WE'VE BEEN HERE
LONGER THAN SIX DAYS!
CAN'T BE SIX DAYS --
IT'S MORE THAN SIX DAYS.
WE'VE BEEN HERE
LONGER THAN SIX DAYS!
Now, shut up!
I'm in command here!
Don't you forget that!
That goes
for the rest of you, too!
Anybody who tries
to take on his own
is gonna get shot
like a deserter!
Is that understood?!
I'VE BEEN IN THIS SITUATION
BEFORE, AND I'VE SURVIVED IT.
Why?
What did you say?
I said, "why do you think you've
survived any more than we have?"
Yeah, that's good,
williams.
Answer him that one,
colonel!
Because I'm stronger
than you are, that's why!
What about you, simmons?
Huh?
Wanna see how strong I am?!
You want to push your luck and
see how far you can push me?!
I want to get to a sun dome.
He doesn't know
where there's one, sim!
What the hell
are we followin' him for?
Colonel...
You don't know where we are
any more than we do!
WHY THE HELL
ARE WE FOLLOWING YOU?!
You listen to me!
FOUR OF US
GOT OUT ALIVE --ALIVE!
That means something!
That means we've got a chance!
Now, there's 120 sun domes
scattered over 11 continents
on this stinking planet,
AND IF WE FIND ONE --
ONE SUN DOME, WE'VE MADE IT!
We came through!
We've survived!
They can get a ship up there
within a month!
You got a better idea,
simmons?!
Pickard?!
Williams, you're so
bloody smart, so sarcastic!
Show me the way
to a sun dome!
Everything's a guess,
isn't it?
Well, I only know
one thing --
keep moving,
and you keep alive!
That's all I know,
and we're gonna move.
We're gonna follow this stream,
and we're gonna pray
that it takes us
to the shore of the single sea!
There's one sun dome
every 20 miles!
If we get there,
we made it and we're alive!
So on your feet
and let's go!
WE'LL FOLLOW THE STREAM
AND PRAY IT GETS US THERE!
The rain hurts my head!
It's like a kettledrum!
In three hours,
you're stone-deaf!
Now, a deaf man is a cripple,
and I'm not havin' a cripple
on my back!
Get up, get on your feet,
and you follow me!
Come on!
Move out!
There's not enough...
Space between this rain to...
To breathe!
My lungs feel like
they're gonna split open!
Listen to me --
bend your head forward.
Bend your head forward,
try to keep the water out,
and breathe deep. Go on.
I don't think you're
getting us anywhere!
Shut up!
Keep your mouth shut!
Talking is a convenient way
to commit suicide!
You'd like that --
shut up!
That goes for you, too!
Yes, sir, colonel!
No talk!
- My head!
- I said no talk!
Come on! Come on!
Come on!
It's our ship.
Home!
Well, colonel,
here we are...
Right back
where we started from...
Seven days ago, huh?
I could get in there
for the map case, colonel.
You go near the ship,
you'll get contaminated.
Forget it.
Without those
survival maps, we're...
WE'RE NEVER GONNA
FIND ANYTHING!
YOU DON'T THINK HE'S GONNA
ADMIT THAT, DO YOU?
He won't even admit
he's been leading us around
in circles!
Hey, williams...
What?
Let's kill him.
What for?
OUR LIVES MEAN
NOTHING TO HIM!
If sim had listened to him,
he'd still be here.
I hate him, williams.
I REALLY HATE HIM!
Huh? Come here!
Huh, what's that?
What is it?!
- A sun dome!
- That's right!
My guess!
My guess!
This is it, isn't it?
This is what?
This means there
should be another sun dome
about 20 miles from here.
How do we know it's not
destroyed like this one?
I don't know!
I just hope, that's all!
Pickard!
Pickard!
He's trying
to drown himself!
It's too late for him!
Even this
little bit of shelter is...
Is better than none, huh?
It doesn't pound you
all the time --
pound you to death.
I'll tell you something,
williams,
I'm glad that you made it
this far with me.
Not because it's you,
but...
Because somebody's with me.
Colonel...
I've...
I've got -- I've got
a surprise for you.
I'm deaf.
Why don't you issue me one
of your famous survival orders
so I can tell you
what to do with it, huh?
I can't hear you!
I can't hear you, colonel!
Gone!
Well, damn you!
Look at my mouth!
Read my lips!
I read your lips,
colonel,
but I can't understand
what you're saying.
I don't understand you
at all.
Williams...
I figure we've only got
about 10 more miles to go.
If we get there --
look at me.
IF WE GET THERE,
it will be dry,
and we'll be warm.
THERE WILL BE THE SUN!
And women!
Women, hmm?
There are old sexy women
just around the corner --
is that what you're trying
to tell me, colonel, huh?
Tell me, are they whores --
space whores?
Oh.
That's supposed to
suck me in, huh, colonel?
Does the space manual say,
"AT LAST RESORT,
PROMISE YOUR MEN ANYTHING
including a gorgeous whore,"
huh?
What if, colonel...
What if...
A certain kind of man
doesn't want a whore --
if, in fact,
the thought repulses him.
What then?
Then I'd say --
I'd say he was a liar!
I'm not a liar.
Do me one last favor,
will you, colonel?
Go find yourself a nice...
Private...
Quiet...
Lovely...
Sun-dome...
Whorehouse.
You're not a man,
williams...
YOU'RE A SHIT!
And what are you, colonel?
What are you?
DESTROY, RIGHT? DESTROY AND
COMMAND ANYTHING --ANYTHING!
Anything that can
send you away!
Anything that's more refined,
more sensitive --
ANYTHING THAT LOVES!
Destroy and command
and take over!
AND STAMP OUT ANYTHING!
Colonel...
Oh, colonel...
You're a rotten breed...
Low, basic, rotten breed.
You'd destroy...
You'd destroy the world,
wouldn't you...
And survive.
Get on your feet!
That's an order!!
Get out of here.
Go on --
get out of here.
THIS IS MY TIME.
I know it...
And I'm glad I know it.
You want to know
something funny?
I won't even hear
the laser pop...
But you will.
Welcome, colonel.
Where you goin'?
None of your damn business
where I'm going.
Want to hear what happened
later on in the night?
No.
She almost treated me
like I were her husband.
Please...
I have to go.
She really got to love
them illustrations.
She'd look at them,
then she began
to study 'em.
And then she'd laugh.
After a while...
She began to touch 'em
all over.
And then...
She began to kiss 'em.
And that made her
real happy.
I want to go.
Go.
What makes you think
you can keep me here?
What makes you think
you can go?
Be quiet,
you little fool!
Nobody's talkin' to you!
Go back to sleep!
She couldn't have
wanted you.
You're never gonna
find her.
NEVER-- YOU'RE
NEVER GONNA FIND HER.
Never.
I love you so!
I'm so glad you're back!
Tell me what happened.
There was
a final world forum.
It is as we dreamed,
isn't it?
Yes.
All the male population
of the world attended.
It was 2,193.
And they all agreed.
They had the same vision...
Without exception.
Tonight is the last night
of the world?
Tonight's the last night
of the world.
TONIGHT'S
THE LAST NIGHT OF THE WORLD.
TONIGHT'S THE LAST NIGHT
OF THE WORLD.
TONIGHT'S THE LAST NIGHT
OF THE WORLD.
How, carl?
No one knows how,
but all dreamed
of an ending...
As it was in 4187
when the gas cloud
covered the earth
and the only people
that survived
were on the highest mountains.
This time,
no one will survive.
No one.
That was
the unanimous conclusion
of the forum.
How are the children?
Beautiful, as always.
What did
the world forum rule?
Peoples of the earth
are reconciled
that this is the last night
of the world.
And only the children
are not to know.
What do we do?
They're to be spared.
Tell them nothing, then.
The ruling was that they
were spared the dream...
So they should be spared
the experience.
How can they be spared?
They're to be put to sleep.
Put to sleep?
Put to sleep?
They're to be given these
at bedtime.
Kill the children?
Oh, that's impossible.
I don't believe it.
The world's agreed.
Oh, no.
Never, never.
Our children are everything.
They're the future.
There will be no future.
They all agreed.
They had the same dream...
...nothingness.
No one on earth
had a different dream?
No one.
I will not...
Kill my children.
They're subject
to the ruling.
I don't care
about the ruling.
Felicia,
all those at the forum
loved their children
as we love ours,
but none
want to see them suffer.
We don't know
how the end will be.
Will it be sudden?
Will it be lingering?
Will they
be burned to death?
Mommy!
Father! Father's back!
Oh, father,
we missed you so much!
Is anything wrong?
No, no, nothing's wrong,
it's just that...
Your mother was so pleased
to see your father home,
she started to cry.
Sometimes people do that
when they're happy.
Which one of you
rode the animals most today?
- HE DID.
- NO, SHE DID.
Wait, wait, wait.
That's no way to welcome
your father home --
with an argument.
I'll tell you what. You...
You go outside
and play some more.
All right?
Go on.
You're their father,
carl.
Could you kill them?
It didn't happen.
Carl...
It didn't happen.
YOU BASTARD.
YOU KILLED THEM.
YOU KILLED YOUR OWN CHILDREN.
Shut up.
What the hell?
Didn't I --
what the hell
are you doin' there?
Boy...
I tell you.
Some days.
Get over there
and get in there.
Give me any more trouble,
and I'll throw you in the lake.
Don't you come out,
either, or i'll...
Crown you.
You're evil.
You killed them...
...didn't you?
You killed them.
You killed pickard.
You killed simmons --
you kill people.
You crummy bastard.
What the hell
are you talkin' about?
I NEVER KILLED ANYBODY!
The one person I'm gonna kill --
that's the lady.
I'm gonna step on her
like a cockroach
and throw her away like a dog
throws away a dead snake!
You lousy --
huh?
What are you gonna do,
little boy?
Go ahead!
Get down there!
Get down there!
All right, now,
watch it!
You...
You made...
You made love to her,
didn't you?
Why don't you shut up
before I split your skull?!
Shut up!
You listen to me...
You listen.
You're the one
who was curious.
You're the one
who wanted to see the future.
So now, you just
take it easy, sonny boy.
And you just relax.
You just relax now.
Relax, sonny boy.
It's almost daybreak.
Why don't you
lie on my bed and relax?
I won't be long.
Carl?
Carl?
Carl?
Felicia?
You call me?
Carl?
Carl?
Felicia?!
Felicia?!
Hmm.
Yeah, you -- you're...
You're trying to tell me...
She didn't come back
to the house, huh?
She took the house
with her.
What do you mean
"she took the house with her"?
I mean that
she took everything...
Except a kitchen chair.
She took everything
and left one chair, huh?
Is that what you're
trying to tell me?
She took everything
but the kitchen chair.
On it was my clothes...
And my shoes...
And there it was...
Standin' all alone
in the middle of the field.
Where'd she go?
She went back
into the future.
Beyond our own time.
People don't disappear.
HOUSES DON'T DISAPPEAR.
Nothing disappears.
Well, then you show me
the house.
You find me the lady.
You're a liar.
You.
If I'm a liar...
Where did these come from?
You've been lookin' at them,
haven't you?
You watched them
come alive, didn't you?
Didn't you?
Didn't you?!
Yeah.
Well, who put them there,
'cause I didn't.
You think that over...
Willie.
Oh, my god.
Oh!
Aaaaahh!
EACH PERSON WHO TRIES
TO SEE BEYOND HIS OWN TIME
MUST FACE QUESTIONS
TO WHICH THERE CANNOT YET BE
ABSOLUTE ANSWERS.
TO SEE BEYOND HIS OWN TIME
MUST FACE QUESTIONS
TO WHICH THERE CANNOT YET BE
PROVEN ANSWERS.
Hey, thanks a lot.
Take it easy.
Hey, beau...
Hi.
What are you doing?
You, uh...
Boilin' coffee?
Yeah.
That's good.
THAT'S REAL GOOD.
You hoboing?
Uh, yeah, kind of.
I'm trying to get
to california.
Walking, hitchhiking --
uh, I'm getting there
kind of slow.
What's in california?
M-My older sister and
my brother-in-law in fresno.
Grapes?
I said, "grapes?"
My brother-in-law
works for sears and roebuck.
He's gonna get me in there.
Well, you know -- a job.
Pretty good job, too.
Where do you come from?
Horseheads, new york.
Yeah,
I know where that is.
You've been to horseheads?
No, I ain't never been
to horseheads,
but I've been
to the finger lakes district,
but that was, uh...
A long, long time ago...
Long ago.
Listen, uh...
You're going a long way
to find a job, ain't you?
Well, yeah.
There just wasn't anything
to keep me in horseheads.
Except maybe the scouts.
WELL, M-MY MOTHER DIED
JULY 24th OF PERITONITIS.
You a boy scout?
A scoutmaster --
troop 170, horseheads.
What's that?
That ain't nothin'.
My dog.
What?
I said it's my dog.
He's my buddy.
He must be roasting in there.
No, he's not roastin'.
HE LIKES IT HOT
LIKE I LIKE IT HOT.
I'm sorry.
I never saw a dog in a bag.
Maybe he has to go.
Maybe.
Gee, he's...Cute.
Yeah, well,
he's 14 years old.
Well,
he sure doesn't look it.
I know he don't.
What's his name?
His name is peke
like in pekingese.
He's a pomeranian,
isn't he?
No, he ain't.
He's a bum just like me.
We're two bums.
How, uh...
How long you been
in this part of the state?
Oh, almost two weeks.
I got a job on a dairy farm
not too far from here --
you know, to make
a little extra cash.
I'm a real good milker.
What's your name?
Willie.
Come here.
Come here!
Sit down.
Let me tell you somethin' --
when you meet anybody, don't
tell them you got any money
because they're liable
to kill you to get it.
It wasn't even $10 --
you tell them nothin'!
Yes, sir.
You ever seen a house
that looked like that?
Don't look at the hand!
Look at the house.
It looks like any ordinary,
little farmhouse to me.
SEE, THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPH THAT
I CUT OUT OF LIBERTY MAGAZINE.
Now, that's not
the exact house,
but it sure does look like
the one I'm lookin' for.
Yeah.
I doubt I ever seen it.
Come on, you, sit up!
Sit up for carl!
You little bastard.
This house, you see...
This house
has a post in front of it.
On that post,
there was a sign.
And on that sign it says,
"skin illustrations."
"Skin illustration."
Well --
listen to me!
You tell me, boy, and you
tell me god damned, too --
you ever seen the sign
that say that?
No --
are you sure?!
I'd remember something
like that.
I never saw anything
like that.
You're sure?!
I'm sure -- honest.
Well, I'm gonna find it.
I'm gonna find it.
Well, there m-must be a hundred
houses like that around here.
I'm only lookin' for one.
And I'm lookin' for the lady
that lives in it.
And when I find her...
...I'm gonna kill her.
Oh, yes.
Oh, yes.
I will kill her.
I know, you know.
Sometimes I know
where that house is...
Exactly.
I mean, it comes into my --
comes into my mind
as clear as a bell.
And then
I start goin' there,
and, uh...
Then I know that i'm
gettin' close to it
because I can feel it
inside of me.
I just know that i'm
gettin' close to it,
and then...
Just when I think
that I'm there...
...damn thing goes
right out of my head.
Maybe she moved.
Yeah.
Oh, boy! She moved --
she moved and she took
the whole blessed house
with her!
She moved, all right.
That was a long time ago.
A long time ago.
That was, uh...
...it was on labor day.
Tomorrow's labor day.
Same as any other day to me.
Well, not to me, it ain't.
- That's a garter snake.
- I'm gonna kill it.
It's a garter --
I'll kill it!
They're not gonna
hurt you!
Come on.
Come on!
Die!
Die!
Die!!
Die!!
Get it away from him.
No, no.
Let him eat it.
Do him some good --
maybe he'll sit up straighter.
They're good to have around.
They wouldn't hurt you.
They're no good for nothin'
any goddamn place in the world!
It's a snake, ain't it?!
I'll tell you
what I could use.
Boy, I could use some
good, cheap bourbon whiskey.
You got any of that?
No.
I love that. Peke don't
like it, but I love it.
Why would you
want to kill anybody?
You want to know why?
All right.
I'll show you why.
Oh, my god.
Well, go on!
Take a look!
Wow.
Pretty, ain't they?
I never saw
anything like that.
T-That's the most fantastic
thing I ever saw.
Is that what you meant by
skin illustrations -- tattoos?
They're not tattoos!
They're skin illustrations!
Don't you ever
call them tattoos!
Let me tell you.
Don't you look at those
illustrations too long
because they'll come alive,
and they'll tell you stories.
You remember that lady
that I was talkin' to you about?
Remember her?
I'll tell you what she did --
she created for me
my own private hell.
You see that blank space
on my back there? See it?
And now people
look into that...
And they see the future.
That's all well and good...
...BUT IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR
FUTURE, YOU MAY PAY A PRICE
because you may look and see
how you're gonna die!
You may look and see
what you're gonna look like
when you're old and rotten
and shriveled and mean!
But people don't like
to see that, do they?!
No they don't, so
after a while,
they don't like me,
and they grow to hate me!
Didn't you have any doubts
about getting tattooed
all over like that?
I wasn't thinkin' about
gettin' tattooed,
I was thinkin' about
gettin' laid,
AND THIS IS THE LAST TIME
I'M GONNA TELL YOU,
please...
Don't ever call them tattoos.
I'm sure I never saw
a house like that
with a sign like that
anywhere around here.
Well...
...maybe she went back
into the future someplace.
BACK INTO THE FUTURE?
That's what I said.
BACK INTO THE FUTURE.
Maybe a thousand years.
I was workin'
this 2-bit carnival.
I was puttin' up tents.
It was a hot day,
and there was this lion --
he was screamin', and this
elephant was answerin' back --
and I was horny that day.
I just had to get
out of there,
so I took myself
a little walk.
I walked along, and, uh...
I came to this place...
This house.
And there was
a post in front of it.
On that post was a sign,
and on that sign,
it said, uh...
"Skin illustrations."
"Skin illustrations."
Hello.
Hello.
Well, it's, uh...
It's kind of hot, ain't it?
Very.
Well, does it always get
this hot around labor day?
Sometimes.
Can I offer you
something cold to drink?
Well, water would be fine.
Got some lemonade already.
Come on in.
All right.
Come on.
Come on.
Nothing satisfies
like lemonade
when it's real hot
like this.
I guess you could
say that.
Hmm.
What a magnificently
strong hand.
Well,
I guess it got strong
swingin' the big hammer
at the carnival.
Hmm.
Carnival life
must be very exciting.
I also handle
the elephant shovel,
and I don't think
you could call that excitin'.
Come and sit down.
Over there?
Next to me.
Anyway, that's what I do.
I put tents up,
and then I take tents down,
and, well, that's about it.
Mm-hmm.
Anyway, uh...
You know,
sometimes when they, uh...
When they have a heavy day,
you see,
they let me --
hand.
When they have a heavy day,
they let me collect tickets.
And then -- or some days
when the day ain't too heavy,
they don't let me do nothin'.
Right there.
The very center.
I know
just what belongs there.
That's when I learned
what her name was.
"There's a rose,"
she said.
"A rose you'll always
carry in your hand.
A rose from felicia."
I think the rose
is just beautiful.
Yeah.
I haven't seen
anything like that --
even in the circus.
Circus?
Let me tell you somethin' --
there ain't a circus or
a carnival that would touch us.
I told you before,
these things come alive.
When they come alive,
they scare people.
Nobody's gonna hang around
and look at 'em.
I know they come alive because
I can feel them squirmin' --
movin' on my back.
I can't hear
what they're sayin',
but I can feel them movin'.
Peke don't hear nothin'
anyway
with his garter snakes
and little bugs.
But, boy,
I know they're there.
I still think the rose
is beautiful.
So did I.
So did I.
She knew everything...
AND SHE HAD BEEN EVERYWHERE.
There's a rose you'll
always carry in your hand --
a rose from felicia.
Come.
Come on.
Come and see it outside --
the colors
are so much more alive.
Come on.
Come over here.
Come here.
Tell me you love it.
I love it.
What's your name?
My name's carl.
Carl.
Tell me what you smell
right now --
right this very minute.
What I smell?
Mm-hmm.
Well, uh...
I smell dust
and, uh, I smell, uh...
Dry weeds...
Yeah. Something else?
Yeah, but I don't know,
unless you can say --
I kind of smell the heat.
That's right.
Now, try to imagine
all those smells...
Somewhere else.
Not here -- somewhere else.
Well, I don't know.
Where...
I could say where
the lions live in africa.
That's right.
Where the lions live.
Down in africa.
Right there, carl.
Right there.
Right there. Well...
I was the one
that said it.
Idiot me.
Oh, yeah, right there --
where the lions live
down in africa.
She had lived in the past,
she had lived in the future,
and she put it all on me.
They're filthy things.
The lions?
No, not the lions.
The stinking vultures.
I wanted you to see what i've
been seeing every day for weeks.
Well, I've seen it.
Come on -- let's go.
What do you suppose
they're feeding on?
I don't know.
Maybe a...Zebra, giraffe.
Something like that.
Come on, come on.
Carl...
Did you hear a scream?
No.
You didn't hear anything?
I didn't hear anything.
I don't want our children
to play here anymore, carl.
Please turn it off.
It's been the same
african veld for weeks now --
ever since you and johnny
had that argument.
All right.
I know that, I know that.
It was your idea to install
the playroom in the first place
so our children could work off
their natural hostility.
I'm sorry we ever bought
the damn thing.
So am I, but you're the one
that sold me
on the free-involvement theory
and instantaneous atmosphere.
If a child wants anything,
wishes it hard enough,
all he has to do is flip
a switch, and there you are.
Well...
Electronic image or not,
I don't like it.
We've got to
get rid of it, carl.
We'll have to talk
to the children first.
The children can go in there
and think of anything --
the past, the future.
THEY CAN THINK OF ANYTHING.
It could become destructive.
Apparently, the minister
of mental health
doesn't share
your protective attitude.
TO HELL WITH HIM! I DON'T WANT
TO EXPERIMENT WITH MY CHILDREN!
Then for the time being,
we'll consider the playroom
out of bounds.
All right?
Now, what we need
is a good stiff drink.
Maybe it's just me...
Just my imagination.
It's not your imagination.
It's the world we live in.
Everything's done for us.
You throw a glass
into the glass incinerator,
out comes
a freshly molded glass.
What's left for us to do?
The body functions? --
Sleep, sex.
What's left?
I don't know.
I don't know. Maybe it's
the stupid labor laws.
You can't work
more than six months a year,
so you mustn't upset
the great, planned global
balance of economy.
That's great for business,
isn't it?
What about the other
six months of the year?
I don't know.
Carl...
...make love to me.
Why?
Well, why?
Maybe this time,
it'll be different.
Who is it?
IT'S WILL McLEAN.
Caught you both
with a drink in your hand.
Don't tell me the sun's already
over the yardarm out there.
- Hello, will.
- How's it going?
Oh, putting in my time
talking to a lot of sick people.
I got a breakfast meeting
in havana tomorrow morning.
I thought I might stop
on my way back.
We'll be here.
Can you make it for lunch?
I'd love to.
How are the kids?
Great.
Well, carl doesn't share
my concern, but when you come,
I'd like to talk to you
about a possible problem.
Johnny.
Yeah, johnny, I think --
maybe both.
Listen, how long have you been
our mental health counselor?
Anna was 3.
Well, then you know
how sometimes a mother --
she, uh...
Gets overexcited about something
that may not exist.
It's that nursery, will.
It scares me.
Uh-oh.
What do you mean "uh-oh"?
What do you mean "uh-oh"?
Well, we've been having
our share of problems
in that area
of the free-involvement program.
Look, I'll talk about it
with you tomorrow, okay?
Okay.
See you about 1:00?
Around then.
Felicia...
...be well.
Bye.
Carl, felicia, we're home!
The science carnival
was great!
It's too far to go alone.
Too far?!
Get ready for dinner.
We're not hungry.
We ate at the carnival.
We just love bermuda.
We're going back
again tomorrow.
You're not going anywhere
unless I give you permission.
You too, young lady.
You go get ready for dinner.
All I know is that
when I was your age,
I wasn't allowed
to attach my space capsule
to any navigational beam
over 100 miles in distance.
I mean, not until I was over
16 years of age, anyway.
Suppose you
had to go 150 miles?
You just didn't go.
WHAT COULD THEY DO TO YOU
IF YOU DID?
What do you mean,
if you got caught?
Yeah.
Oh, they'd, uh...
Revoke your space license.
DID YOU THINK
THAT WAS FAIR THEN?
Since you're asking
so many questions,
let me ask you a question about
that fancy nursery of yours.
I don't know
what you're talking about.
I'm talking about africa,
and I'm talking about the lions.
There's no africa
in the nursery.
There isn't, huh?
I think it's
only fair to tell you
that your mother and I spent
a little time in there today.
I DON'T REMEMBER ANY AFRICA.
DO YOU, ANN?
Unh-unh.
Go see, ann,
and see if --
she doesn't have to go see.
We've both seen it already.
You're mistaken.
I'm mistaken.
We're gonna find out
who's mistaken.
You come with me,
young man.
Come on.
Let's go quick.
I've had enough of this.
Let's go felicia.
We'll find out
who's mistaken.
Whose idea is this?
Anna and I
play all the time here.
Uh-huh. Every day?
NOT EVERY DAY.
ALMOST EVERY DAY.
Almost every day.
I see.
Well, of course,
you, uh...
Do play in the african veld
from time to time, don't you?
I think we did once --
a long time ago.
Do you remember
how long ago, young lady?
A LONG TIME AGO --
MONTHS AND MONTHS AGO.
I see, I see.
I want to tell you
something now.
Your mother and I
know that you're lying.
- Carl, leave it alone.
- I don't care --
go get cleaned up.
- We're not that dirty --
- go get cleaned up!
Go on.
Do as your father says. Go on!
Obviously, our children are
trying to make fools out of us.
Well, carl,
will will be here tomorrow.
He'll --
he'll know what to do.
He's trained
to deal with these problems.
Well --
look, um,
I'll tell you what.
Let them play in here,
but don't say anything
about will coming.
All right.
And don't worry.
We'll straighten it out.
It's been like that
for weeks now --
just the way we found it.
What are they eating?
I don't know.
Vultures here all the time?
All the time.
It doesn't feel good, carl.
What do you mean,
"it doesn't feel good"?
Well, all children
get the feeling
that their parents
are persecuting them,
but this goes beyond that.
In what way?
WELL, JOHNNY AND ANNA
AREN'T RELEASING
DESTRUCTIVE THOUGHTS HERE
ANYMORE, THEY'RE EMBRACING THEM.
Embracing them?
There's a point
at which fantasy
becomes dangerously close
to reality.
Carl, rip it down.
Get rid of it.
I was wrong for recommending it
in the first place.
I realize that.
Let's get rid of it.
That's felicia's scarf.
That's my slipper.
The room will hate you
if you kill it!
Stop talking like that!
It has feelings, too!
You can't kill it!
I'm not killing anything!
It's not a human being!
It's a machine you can have
if you've got the money!
That's all it is,
so stop it!
Tomorrow dr. will is coming
to take us to therapy refuge
for a vacation.
Doesn't that please you?
No, it doesn't.
I like it here.
I'm not going to any place
where I have to do
everything myself.
You talk to your mother
in that tone of voice,
and I'll give you
a slap across the face
you'll never forget!
You better not.
Don't you
talk to me like that!
I'm not gonna have any son
of mine talk to me like that!
Go to bed!
Get going!
- I don't know.
- You don't know what?
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?
You're in this thing together,
and I know it!
Go on! Get out of here!
Go on! When I say go, go!
Leave her alone.
She's not causing any trouble.
THIS HOUSE IS LOADED
WITH TROUBLE!
The nursery -- that's trouble.
Go to bed when I tell you!
Johnny's right!
I'll certainly be glad
to get away for a while,
I'll tell you.
The thing I love about will --
he's so understanding.
I guess he is.
I guess he is.
Listen...
...just today,
before will called,
we were about to come up here
and make love.
Do you remember?
Were we?
Can I ask you a question?
Yeah.
How do you feel now?
No.
Carl! Felicia!
Come quickly! Hurry!
Mommy! Daddy!
Quick! Quick!
Mommy! Daddy!
Carl! Felicia!
Hurry!
Carl! Felicia!
Hurry! Quick!
Mommy! Mommy! Daddy!
Hurry! Hurry!
Daddy! Mommy!
Carl! Felicia!
Hurry!
Good morning!
Everybody ready?
Carl?
Felicia?
Where is everybody?
Johnny?
Carl?
Johnny?
Anna?
Where are your parents?
May I offer you
a cup of coffee...
Doctor?
Oh, my god.
You want a cup of coffee?
Hey!
Huh?
May I offer you
a cup of coffee?
Oh, yes, thank you.
I know what you're thinkin'.
The funny thing is
that women usually ask
that question before men do.
WELL, THE ANSWER IS YES --
I'M COVERED WITH PICTURES
from the neck
right down to the toes --
EVERYWHERE,
AND I MEAN EVERYWHERE.
Yes, sir...
Everywhere.
I REMEMBER THAT LADY.
Boy, she had lilacs
around her house
that in the heat
used to stink to high heaven
AND I MEAN
TO THE HIGH HEAVEN.
Man, they smelled so sweet,
they made you dizzy.
Did I tell you
about the lilacs?
No, I don't think so.
I didn't?
No, I don't think so.
They made you puke.
Yeah, you told me
about the lilacs.
I thought I did.
Oh.
Yeah, I remember her.
I remember it was about
this time of evenin',
and, uh...
I was sittin' there,
and...
All of a sudden, it hit me.
It hit me.
And that I had had enough.
I had just had enough.
I mean, I was -- heh!
Man, I was there
with the wherewithal.
I was ready, willin', and able.
I WAS MORE THAN ABLE,
AND --
then it dawned on me that
nothin' was gonna happen ever.
And there I was.
Boy, I was sittin' there
like a big idiot
with half my body
covered in...
Skin illustrations.
Skin illustrations.
All the time...
She knew
what she was doin'.
No more, thank you.
Why don't you sit down
and rest for a bit?
No, thank you.
That last one hurt.
No, thank you. I'm gonna
go back and I'm gonna r--
Rig the midway and...
...get ready
for the nighttime rubes.
When you coming back?
What?
When you coming back?
I don't know.
Maybe sometime tomorrow.
You're lying.
I am not! Don't you
ever call me a liar!
I NEVER LIE!
I NEVER LIE!
When I'm finished with you,
think of the money you can make!
You'll be more beautiful
than anyone!
- I'd be a freak!
- You'd be beautiful!
I would not be beautiful!
I would be a freak!
No, carl,
you'll be something special!
You'll be beautiful!
You'll matter!
Jesus christ!
These things don't come off!
I'm half a freak now!
Carl...
...let me finish.
You're not gonna
finish nothin'!
Did you let me touch you
for one second?! You did not!
What do you think I am,
some kind of stupid animal?!
You're a man, carl --
a man!
You never flinch
from pain!
Pain is part
of everything good.
Lie down.
I'll make you happier
than you've ever been
in your whole life.
You know what
I'm gonna put there?
What?
A rocket.
I'M GONNA LOOK LIKE
THE 4th OF JULY.
That's what I said.
I looked like the...
4th OF JULY.
What was the reason
you didn't leave
when you started to?
WHY HAVEN'T YOU LEFT?
Don't you get personal.
I'm sorry.
Shut up, now!
Come on, now!
Shut up!
All you do
is make noise in the world!
That's how you handle
little things, see?
You just yell at 'em,
and they shut up like a clam.
And that puts them
in their proper place.
Man, I don't like
little things.
I don't like bugs
and frogs and spiders
and creepy, crawly things
that zing out at you
and bite you
when you're not lookin'!
You know
what a tick looks like?
Sure. I've seen ticks.
Well, they're the worst
because they find you
no matter where you are,
and they creep up on you,
and they suck your blood, see!
Oh, they stink --
rotten things.
I don't like ticks either.
Yeah, neither do I.
Let me give you
a word of advice.
Don't get too personal
with me.
Okay.
I-I didn't mean
anything by it.
Yeah, that's enough, now.
I don't want to talk about it.
Peke,
it's time to go to bed.
That's a good dog.
Just say your prayers
and get a good night's sleep.
She's...
She's very beautiful,
isn't she?
You've seen her,
haven't you?
Haven't you?
Well?!
Haven't you?!
Yes.
Well, now you know.
I'll tell you one thing --
and I told her,
"lady,
you put anything on me,
"and I want it
to be big,
"and I want it
to have power,
"and I want it
to have energy like a...
A rocket."
How long have we been here?
Six days.
CAN'T BE SIX DAYS --
IT'S MORE THAN SIX DAYS.
Just six days.
CAN'T BE SIX DAYS --
IT'S MORE THAN SIX DAYS.
WE'VE BEEN HERE
LONGER THAN SIX DAYS!
CAN'T BE SIX DAYS --
IT'S MORE THAN SIX DAYS.
WE'VE BEEN HERE
LONGER THAN SIX DAYS!
Now, shut up!
I'm in command here!
Don't you forget that!
That goes
for the rest of you, too!
Anybody who tries
to take on his own
is gonna get shot
like a deserter!
Is that understood?!
I'VE BEEN IN THIS SITUATION
BEFORE, AND I'VE SURVIVED IT.
Why?
What did you say?
I said, "why do you think you've
survived any more than we have?"
Yeah, that's good,
williams.
Answer him that one,
colonel!
Because I'm stronger
than you are, that's why!
What about you, simmons?
Huh?
Wanna see how strong I am?!
You want to push your luck and
see how far you can push me?!
I want to get to a sun dome.
He doesn't know
where there's one, sim!
What the hell
are we followin' him for?
Colonel...
You don't know where we are
any more than we do!
WHY THE HELL
ARE WE FOLLOWING YOU?!
You listen to me!
FOUR OF US
GOT OUT ALIVE --ALIVE!
That means something!
That means we've got a chance!
Now, there's 120 sun domes
scattered over 11 continents
on this stinking planet,
AND IF WE FIND ONE --
ONE SUN DOME, WE'VE MADE IT!
We came through!
We've survived!
They can get a ship up there
within a month!
You got a better idea,
simmons?!
Pickard?!
Williams, you're so
bloody smart, so sarcastic!
Show me the way
to a sun dome!
Everything's a guess,
isn't it?
Well, I only know
one thing --
keep moving,
and you keep alive!
That's all I know,
and we're gonna move.
We're gonna follow this stream,
and we're gonna pray
that it takes us
to the shore of the single sea!
There's one sun dome
every 20 miles!
If we get there,
we made it and we're alive!
So on your feet
and let's go!
WE'LL FOLLOW THE STREAM
AND PRAY IT GETS US THERE!
The rain hurts my head!
It's like a kettledrum!
In three hours,
you're stone-deaf!
Now, a deaf man is a cripple,
and I'm not havin' a cripple
on my back!
Get up, get on your feet,
and you follow me!
Come on!
Move out!
There's not enough...
Space between this rain to...
To breathe!
My lungs feel like
they're gonna split open!
Listen to me --
bend your head forward.
Bend your head forward,
try to keep the water out,
and breathe deep. Go on.
I don't think you're
getting us anywhere!
Shut up!
Keep your mouth shut!
Talking is a convenient way
to commit suicide!
You'd like that --
shut up!
That goes for you, too!
Yes, sir, colonel!
No talk!
- My head!
- I said no talk!
Come on! Come on!
Come on!
It's our ship.
Home!
Well, colonel,
here we are...
Right back
where we started from...
Seven days ago, huh?
I could get in there
for the map case, colonel.
You go near the ship,
you'll get contaminated.
Forget it.
Without those
survival maps, we're...
WE'RE NEVER GONNA
FIND ANYTHING!
YOU DON'T THINK HE'S GONNA
ADMIT THAT, DO YOU?
He won't even admit
he's been leading us around
in circles!
Hey, williams...
What?
Let's kill him.
What for?
OUR LIVES MEAN
NOTHING TO HIM!
If sim had listened to him,
he'd still be here.
I hate him, williams.
I REALLY HATE HIM!
Huh? Come here!
Huh, what's that?
What is it?!
- A sun dome!
- That's right!
My guess!
My guess!
This is it, isn't it?
This is what?
This means there
should be another sun dome
about 20 miles from here.
How do we know it's not
destroyed like this one?
I don't know!
I just hope, that's all!
Pickard!
Pickard!
He's trying
to drown himself!
It's too late for him!
Even this
little bit of shelter is...
Is better than none, huh?
It doesn't pound you
all the time --
pound you to death.
I'll tell you something,
williams,
I'm glad that you made it
this far with me.
Not because it's you,
but...
Because somebody's with me.
Colonel...
I've...
I've got -- I've got
a surprise for you.
I'm deaf.
Why don't you issue me one
of your famous survival orders
so I can tell you
what to do with it, huh?
I can't hear you!
I can't hear you, colonel!
Gone!
Well, damn you!
Look at my mouth!
Read my lips!
I read your lips,
colonel,
but I can't understand
what you're saying.
I don't understand you
at all.
Williams...
I figure we've only got
about 10 more miles to go.
If we get there --
look at me.
IF WE GET THERE,
it will be dry,
and we'll be warm.
THERE WILL BE THE SUN!
And women!
Women, hmm?
There are old sexy women
just around the corner --
is that what you're trying
to tell me, colonel, huh?
Tell me, are they whores --
space whores?
Oh.
That's supposed to
suck me in, huh, colonel?
Does the space manual say,
"AT LAST RESORT,
PROMISE YOUR MEN ANYTHING
including a gorgeous whore,"
huh?
What if, colonel...
What if...
A certain kind of man
doesn't want a whore --
if, in fact,
the thought repulses him.
What then?
Then I'd say --
I'd say he was a liar!
I'm not a liar.
Do me one last favor,
will you, colonel?
Go find yourself a nice...
Private...
Quiet...
Lovely...
Sun-dome...
Whorehouse.
You're not a man,
williams...
YOU'RE A SHIT!
And what are you, colonel?
What are you?
DESTROY, RIGHT? DESTROY AND
COMMAND ANYTHING --ANYTHING!
Anything that can
send you away!
Anything that's more refined,
more sensitive --
ANYTHING THAT LOVES!
Destroy and command
and take over!
AND STAMP OUT ANYTHING!
Colonel...
Oh, colonel...
You're a rotten breed...
Low, basic, rotten breed.
You'd destroy...
You'd destroy the world,
wouldn't you...
And survive.
Get on your feet!
That's an order!!
Get out of here.
Go on --
get out of here.
THIS IS MY TIME.
I know it...
And I'm glad I know it.
You want to know
something funny?
I won't even hear
the laser pop...
But you will.
Welcome, colonel.
Where you goin'?
None of your damn business
where I'm going.
Want to hear what happened
later on in the night?
No.
She almost treated me
like I were her husband.
Please...
I have to go.
She really got to love
them illustrations.
She'd look at them,
then she began
to study 'em.
And then she'd laugh.
After a while...
She began to touch 'em
all over.
And then...
She began to kiss 'em.
And that made her
real happy.
I want to go.
Go.
What makes you think
you can keep me here?
What makes you think
you can go?
Be quiet,
you little fool!
Nobody's talkin' to you!
Go back to sleep!
She couldn't have
wanted you.
You're never gonna
find her.
NEVER-- YOU'RE
NEVER GONNA FIND HER.
Never.
I love you so!
I'm so glad you're back!
Tell me what happened.
There was
a final world forum.
It is as we dreamed,
isn't it?
Yes.
All the male population
of the world attended.
It was 2,193.
And they all agreed.
They had the same vision...
Without exception.
Tonight is the last night
of the world?
Tonight's the last night
of the world.
TONIGHT'S
THE LAST NIGHT OF THE WORLD.
TONIGHT'S THE LAST NIGHT
OF THE WORLD.
TONIGHT'S THE LAST NIGHT
OF THE WORLD.
How, carl?
No one knows how,
but all dreamed
of an ending...
As it was in 4187
when the gas cloud
covered the earth
and the only people
that survived
were on the highest mountains.
This time,
no one will survive.
No one.
That was
the unanimous conclusion
of the forum.
How are the children?
Beautiful, as always.
What did
the world forum rule?
Peoples of the earth
are reconciled
that this is the last night
of the world.
And only the children
are not to know.
What do we do?
They're to be spared.
Tell them nothing, then.
The ruling was that they
were spared the dream...
So they should be spared
the experience.
How can they be spared?
They're to be put to sleep.
Put to sleep?
Put to sleep?
They're to be given these
at bedtime.
Kill the children?
Oh, that's impossible.
I don't believe it.
The world's agreed.
Oh, no.
Never, never.
Our children are everything.
They're the future.
There will be no future.
They all agreed.
They had the same dream...
...nothingness.
No one on earth
had a different dream?
No one.
I will not...
Kill my children.
They're subject
to the ruling.
I don't care
about the ruling.
Felicia,
all those at the forum
loved their children
as we love ours,
but none
want to see them suffer.
We don't know
how the end will be.
Will it be sudden?
Will it be lingering?
Will they
be burned to death?
Mommy!
Father! Father's back!
Oh, father,
we missed you so much!
Is anything wrong?
No, no, nothing's wrong,
it's just that...
Your mother was so pleased
to see your father home,
she started to cry.
Sometimes people do that
when they're happy.
Which one of you
rode the animals most today?
- HE DID.
- NO, SHE DID.
Wait, wait, wait.
That's no way to welcome
your father home --
with an argument.
I'll tell you what. You...
You go outside
and play some more.
All right?
Go on.
You're their father,
carl.
Could you kill them?
It didn't happen.
Carl...
It didn't happen.
YOU BASTARD.
YOU KILLED THEM.
YOU KILLED YOUR OWN CHILDREN.
Shut up.
What the hell?
Didn't I --
what the hell
are you doin' there?
Boy...
I tell you.
Some days.
Get over there
and get in there.
Give me any more trouble,
and I'll throw you in the lake.
Don't you come out,
either, or i'll...
Crown you.
You're evil.
You killed them...
...didn't you?
You killed them.
You killed pickard.
You killed simmons --
you kill people.
You crummy bastard.
What the hell
are you talkin' about?
I NEVER KILLED ANYBODY!
The one person I'm gonna kill --
that's the lady.
I'm gonna step on her
like a cockroach
and throw her away like a dog
throws away a dead snake!
You lousy --
huh?
What are you gonna do,
little boy?
Go ahead!
Get down there!
Get down there!
All right, now,
watch it!
You...
You made...
You made love to her,
didn't you?
Why don't you shut up
before I split your skull?!
Shut up!
You listen to me...
You listen.
You're the one
who was curious.
You're the one
who wanted to see the future.
So now, you just
take it easy, sonny boy.
And you just relax.
You just relax now.
Relax, sonny boy.
It's almost daybreak.
Why don't you
lie on my bed and relax?
I won't be long.
Carl?
Carl?
Carl?
Felicia?
You call me?
Carl?
Carl?
Felicia?!
Felicia?!
Hmm.
Yeah, you -- you're...
You're trying to tell me...
She didn't come back
to the house, huh?
She took the house
with her.
What do you mean
"she took the house with her"?
I mean that
she took everything...
Except a kitchen chair.
She took everything
and left one chair, huh?
Is that what you're
trying to tell me?
She took everything
but the kitchen chair.
On it was my clothes...
And my shoes...
And there it was...
Standin' all alone
in the middle of the field.
Where'd she go?
She went back
into the future.
Beyond our own time.
People don't disappear.
HOUSES DON'T DISAPPEAR.
Nothing disappears.
Well, then you show me
the house.
You find me the lady.
You're a liar.
You.
If I'm a liar...
Where did these come from?
You've been lookin' at them,
haven't you?
You watched them
come alive, didn't you?
Didn't you?
Didn't you?!
Yeah.
Well, who put them there,
'cause I didn't.
You think that over...
Willie.
Oh, my god.
Oh!
Aaaaahh!
EACH PERSON WHO TRIES
TO SEE BEYOND HIS OWN TIME
MUST FACE QUESTIONS
TO WHICH THERE CANNOT YET BE
ABSOLUTE ANSWERS.