Time Warp (1981) - full transcript
After a long space journey, an astronaut returns home to his family--only to discover that he has somehow gone through a "time warp" and is now one year into the future, rendering him invisible to all those around him.
- This is central control.
We have five minutes to go.
It looks like a
good day for pickup.
Yes, all systems are on
go, manual is all set.
We have a radio
contact that's come in
and says that we have
a pickup at.
We'll be starting our
countdown before long.
This is central control,
we have about a little more,
a little more than
four minutes to go.
So do you hear me?
I want you to run a
systems check if you can
over on the quaters and check
with me when you get it fixed.
I want to know all systems.
I want, we'll have
that weather report
in a few minutes.
- This way please.
In less than four minutes,
ladies and gentlemen,
NASA officials will be
making their first radio
and video contact
with the United States
spacecraft, Solo One,
which is now on
its return flight
after conducting
experimental mission
into the farthest
reaches of our galaxy.
- And no one has spoken with
or seen him for a year, right?
- That's correct.
Now gentlemen, if you will
step here behind the rope.
That's very good, all cameras
and cameramen on that side.
- Protective shield ready.
- This is actually the
farthest reach of the galaxy.
- This is the first
time at this is ever--
- Yeah.
- Well who is this?
- That's Cardinal Rule,
that's R-U-L-E.
And he is the
consulting theologian
and psychologist
of the Air Force.
- Oh.
- Excuse me,
I just want to see.
- Oh.
- I'll be you in just a moment.
- Great.
- Oh, sir, very nice to see you.
- Lieutenant Hawkins?
- Yes indeed.
Right here.
So glad you were
able to.
Thank you.
- Thank you.
- I'll be with you
in just a moment.
- Thank you very much.
- Yes, now what he is
showing you are the--
- Protective shield folding.
- What is this,
the rainy season?
- All right, we're ready for
an interface with Solo One,
and it looks like
weather is fine.
- Westin--
- That is Colonel Westin.
W-E-S-T-I-N.
He's the officer in
charge of the mission.
- Okay.
- He got this mission
off the ground
when everyone else
was against it.
- Right, right.
- Sir, we should be in
contact in 3 1/2 minutes.
- I'll tell you
something off the record.
He sent his very best friend
on this dangerous mission
because he didn't want
to be a hero himself.
- Okay.
- Oh, certainly.
Colonel, this is Tina
Hawkins of the Tribune.
She'd like very
much to talk to you
and ask you some
questions about your--
- How do you do?
- Ellen Devore,
Ellen, I'm so happy to see you.
How long has it been?
- You just saw us two hours ago
at the Burger King.
- Say hello, Ron.
- Hello.
- Ed, when will we
be making contact?
- Contact?
- With the ship?
- Oh, the ship.
Very soon,
about 1400 hours.
- That's two o'clock, mom.
- You're a smart
little boy, Ron.
Why don't you go ask Mitch
to buy you a lolly pop.
I wanna talk to
your mother alone.
- No.
- No what?
- No, I don't wanna lolly pop.
I've outgrown lolly pops.
- Colonel Westin, we're ready
for your interview, sir.
Sir.
- Two years ago,
May 13, 1983,
high powered radio scopes
picked up unusual flickers
from a point in space
where no star was
known to exist.
Our instrumentation
was able to determine
that the shape was round
with the dimensions of
about eight football fields
laid side by side.
After assimilating
all known data,
we determined it
was a black hole,
the only one to ever have been
sighted in our own galaxy.
The instrumentation showed
a rotation to this form,
which fit into my theory.
I personally was overwhelmed
by the vast opportunities
this presented for study.
♪ And the skies are
not cloudy all day ♪
The Solo One had
been in readiness for
just such a mission.
About a week before
the Solo One's launch,
the black hole seemed to
disappear from our monitorings.
I concluded that this was due
to the constant movement
of interstellar matter
which blocked it from
our monitoring systems,
therefore, I urged the
launch to take place.
The mission of the Solo One
was to fly to the site
of this phenomenon,
monitor it for rotation
and orbital movement,
measure gravitational pull.
On board the Solo One is the
most highly advanced computer
ever to have been
assembled by me, by man,
the Wes-10.
It is the Wes-10's prime
function and responsibility
to unlock the
mysteries of space,
to carry out the
duties of this mission.
- Two minutes to contact.
- Colonel, colonel,
would you give us
more information
on phase two of the
mission prior to contact?
And something about
the astronaut?
- On board the Solo One
is astronaut Mark Devore.
For details on that
phase of the mission,
I now turn the proceedings
over to our consulting
theologian and psychologist,
Cardinal Rule.
- I never knew Captain
Devore personally,
but from--
I never knew Captain
Devore personally,
but from speaking with
those who knew him,
I mean who know him,
I find him to be
much a beloved man.
Beloved by his wife, Ellen,
beloved by his son, Ron.
- One minute to contact.
- Speed it up and
spit it out, Rule.
- Phase two of the mission
is to study a black hole's
effect on a human being,
psychologically, physically,
and of course, spiritually.
- 40 seconds.
- Yeah, but there's
more, you see,
and this is the
most important part.
Oh well.
This has been man's first solo
space voyage of this length.
Its outcome will have great
bearings on future flights
by man into the outer
reaches of the universe.
How does he hold
up psychologically
being alone in the void
with just a machine
as his sole companion?
- Just a machine, Cardinal?
- What happens to his psyche
when he is confronted
by the vast unknown?
- That doesn't work,
that doesn't have the work.
That's okay.
- Extensive psychological tests
will be carried out on Captain
Devore upon his return.
No human being has
spoken to Captain Devore
for a full year.
He has had no contact
with any living creature.
This first communication
will tell all.
We must hope for the best,
and be strong enough
to accept the worst.
- Now just a minute
please, Cardinal,
the Wes-10 is not
just a computer.
I created him to be the
perfect companion to man,
present company excluded.
The Wes-10 was
created in my image.
- Solo One now entering
communication range.
Beginning countdown to
radio and picture relay.
Zero minus 30
seconds and counting.
- And counting.
♪ And the skies are
not cloudy all day ♪
♪ Home, home on the range
♪ Where the deer and
the antelope play ♪
- Wes-10 is multilingual.
It's programmed in
human psychology,
freudian transactional,
Yongian, Gestalt.
- 20 seconds.
- It can play challenging
games of chess,
backgammon.
- 15 seconds.
- It can converse on
meaningful topics.
The Wes-10 is a comfort
to a man who's alone.
It is man's best friend.
It programs nutritional diets.
It has in its memory bank
the most select of
American European classic
thinkers and authors.
And on top of all this,
the Wes-10 is still able
to perfectly maintain
all the functions
of the spacecraft
and carry out the vital
research of this mission.
- 10 seconds.
Nine,
eight,
seven, six,
five,
four, three,
two, one.
We have picture.
- Dad, that's my dad.
- It is with great pride
that we welcome you back into
the , Captain Devore.
How often our thoughts
have been with you,
how often our voices
raised in prayer
for your safe return,
how often we have
pondered your journey.
Our minds' trying
to mesh with yours.
Your deprivations have
been ours, Captain Devore.
For now, we would
like to share you joy.
Tell us, captain,
what gleam of
light sustained you
throughout the
long, long darkness?
- Sex.
Sex.
Sex.
Sex.
Sex.
Bring me my woman.
Bring me Ellen.
Ellen?
Ellen!
- Good thing we're
not on the air, huh.
- Oh Mark.
Dear Mark.
- Ellen!
Ellen!
- Ladies and gentlemen,
the interview's over.
We'll see you back here
30 minutes before air time
in four hours.
- Right sir, but could you
give us a brief statement
on Captain Devore's behavior?
- Ellen!
- Later, please.
I must have time to examine
the situation in depth more.
- But--
- Fear, I greatly fear
for that poor young man.
The long solitary confinement,
it's much worse than I expected.
- He hasn't changed a damn bit.
That, Cardinal,
that is a sick man.
He's destroyed my careful
choreographing of this moment.
My promotion to general
depends on this mission.
Mark Devore has
foiled me every time.
I won't let him do it again.
- Well then why did you
send him on this mission
instead of going yourself?
You had the opportunity.
- Because I thought
if he were gone,
Ellen would forget.
- They appear deeply in love.
- Love.
I'm a handsome man, cardinal.
Bright, witty, I have style.
Once I gather the data
from the Wes-10 tapes
and release it to the top brass,
I'll be on talk shows.
I'll give lectures.
I'll write books.
There'll be probe groupies.
And then Ellen won't
be able to resist me
especially when I'm prove to her
how unbalanced her
husband really is.
Cardinal, haven't
you ever felt driven?
Isn't there something that
you would long to achieve?
- Well, I'd,
I'd like to be Pope.
- Pope?
Pope?
Yes.
Pope, you'd make a
fine, outstanding
spiritual leader, Rule.
- I try my best, Colonel.
- Then get Captain
Devore committed.
- And uncle Ed
drowned the goldfish.
I had them in the toilet
while I was draining the water
and he flushed him down.
- Ellen, I think Ed is
hazardous to animals,
at least Ron can swim.
- I think we've spent
enough time on levity,
don't you captain?
Would you excuse us, dear?
There's some classified matters
I'd like to discuss
with your husband.
- Hey, hey, wait, wait,
you haven't asked me
what I want for our
anniversary dinner yet.
- You're sure you'll
be home in time?
- Well, if this ship flies as
well as Ed promised it would,
I should be landing on
July 13th in three days.
And our anniversary's
on the 14th, remember.
- I'll count the
moments until then.
I love you, Mark.
I have to go now.
I love you.
- And I love you.
Ellen?
Ron?
Gee, I'm awfully sorry about
my opening statement, Eddie
but I had no idea the
press was gonna be there.
I thought it was just family.
- I'll issue a statement
to that effect.
Well Mark, how do you feel?
- Never better, Eddie.
- No feelings of disorientation?
Vagueness?
Lack of memory?
Hallucinations?
- Well, actually I feel fine.
I feel more aware than ever.
I remembered my
anniversary, didn't I.
That's no small fete for someone
who's been living in a place
where time has no meaning.
- So you feel fine?
- Yes.
There was a hell of a lot
of meteor activity though.
My teeth are still
rattling from that.
- Well, that's, that's
good, that's fine.
I guess we can thank my Wes-10
for your sense of wellbeing.
He's quite a fascinating
piece of equipment,
isn't he, Captain?
- Oh, Wes-10,
Eddie, I,
actually, you know,
I found the Wes-10 to be dull.
- What do you mean?
- It's okay now, Eddie,
I modified him
just a little bit.
- Modified him?
What's to modify?
The Wes-10 is perfect,
I created him.
- That's just what
I'm getting at, Eddie.
He's boring.
I mean who plays cribbage?
I like a hot game of poker
with someone who
cheats intelligently.
- He cheats?
- He does now.
- Well, what other
computers do you know
who can sing you lullabies
if you can't sleep?
- But does he have to sing
in a Pakistani dialect?
I mean really, Eddie?
♪ Rock-A-Bye baby
♪ On the tree top
Could you sleep to that?
But it's okay, I
made a few changes.
- You had no right.
I am the Wes-10.
- Well, then your name is mud.
- You.
- It's okay, Eddie,
it's just an acronym for
more unnecessary data.
You see, that's what he says
every time I make a new entry,
more unnecessary data, MUD.
You get it, Eddie?
- Let me talk to Wes-10, now.
Hey MUD, you're on.
- Good afternoon,
General Westin.
- Hey, he's only a Colonel.
- On the basis of the
results of this mission,
Captain Devore, I feel I
can confidently predict
that there are major
changes in store
for Colonel Westin.
- Thank you for your vote
of confidence, Wes-10.
- I am never wrong, sir.
- Ho, ho, that sounds familiar.
- Wes-10, there are
certain modifications
Captain Devore has claimed
to have made on you.
Respond please.
- Colonel Westin,
I will comment on
your statement.
With all due respect
to Captain Devore,
I must inform you
that I found him
to be a chronic teaser,
childish in manners,
summary, not to be
taken seriously.
- But the modifications?
- Are a falsehood.
I am the Wes-10.
I would not allow
more unnecessary data
to be programmed
into my memory banks.
- Well, I must say I
am relieved, Wes-10.
Captain Devore, you might
take a lesson from the Wes-10
and try to act more like
an adult in the future.
- Oh, okay.
- Wes-10, give me a
summary of the data
you collected on the black hole.
I was right on, wasn't I?
- Colonel Westin,
Colonel Westin,
I must advise you
that it is imprudent
to speak on a subject
of such major
importance in security
over public radio airwaves.
One never knows who is
tuned into one's frequency.
- Well, now, Mark.
- Well, I'm afraid
I'll have to agree
with MUD's security
measures, Eddie.
You know how it is.
- Well, I respect
your decision, Wes-10.
Mark, the Wes-10 will proceed
with your return flight plans
and we'll supervise
your landing.
Anticipate a touchdown
set for 72 hours
with countdown beginning
at C minus 30 minutes.
The top brass will be at
the landing site, Mark.
This is an historical event.
Please keep that in mind
and try to appear
normal for a change.
- Okay, stinky.
- One more item, Wes-10.
I'm switching over
to program alpha 832,
classified security
information input.
Prepare to receive.
- Hey, what is this?
What is this?
- Captain Devore, there are
functions of this mission
even you are not privy to.
- Probably why I keep
an uncluttered mind.
- Ground control will
monitor your return by radar.
Lots of luck on
your trip, Wes-10.
- Hey stinky.
- Yes, Captain?
Okay, so what was this dueling
numbers duet all about?
Well come on, what did he say?
You know, you still
blush when you lie.
So?
- He say he very happy
to be in this country.
- Okay, okay, I'll let it alone.
- My circuitry must be tangled.
My mind feels blank.
- It's called denial, bud.
I know what a
disappointment it is.
You spend a whole year in space
with your sensors trying
to pick up the black hole
only to find out
there wasn't one.
It's a big letdown.
It's perfectly normal feeling.
- Thank you for
reassuring me, Mark.
- Hey, MUD, we're
buddies, I like you.
- You're a nice human, Mark.
- Oh poor Ed.
This is really
gonna destroy him.
He wants so badly
to be a general,
and you know, he's probably
gonna get busted to private.
Still, it was good of you
to stick with me on that.
He shouldn't be told anything
until we're face to face.
I think I'll help
him if I'm there.
All the same, you
are a beautiful liar.
- Look, I should hide him,
he created me.
So I spare him a
disappointment for a few days.
He shouldn't worry.
Listen kid, a man's gotta
rest easy on his pillow.
I proclaim of course,
for the good of the
mission, you understand,
that you are responsible
for erasing my tapes.
- Now that's the
MUD I know and love.
What a dump.
Well, I suppose the
least I can do for Ed
is to get this place in order.
How about a little schmaltzy
music to listen to.
- Will you look at him.
He's such a good boy.
He's cleaning up his room.
That's it kid,
clean up a America.
Make it beautiful.
Eh, how many times do
I have to tell you,
don't sing with your mouth full.
Hey big boy,
how do you keep that figure?
My goodness, you're so svelte.
- Hey MUD,
how are the fuel and
catalyst supplies holding up?
Should we pipe in
the spare tanks?
- I will survey.
One moment please.
Captain.
- Uh huh?
- There is enough
fuel in the main tanks
to get us home and
back here again.
- Enough to get us home.
Well, that's all I care about.
Going home.
- Ellen, Ellen, Ellen,
there's no reason
to act so flustered.
- Flustered?
Who's flustered?
What, me flustered?
Why should I be flustered?
How many people do you know
whose husband's coming home
from Jupiter for dinner?
- Yes, I'd be a
little upset too.
- Ed, I'm just so excited.
- Excited?
So am I.
- You're such a good friend,
here, put these in the
top shelf will you?
Over there.
Let me see.
Twinkies,
olives,
popcorn.
I wonder if he's gonna
like the waterbed.
- I would.
- Well yes, but after
a year in outer space
and weightlessness, he
might prefer something
a little more substantial.
- Mark?
Oh, he's never coming
back down to earth.
- Oh you guys.
You have such an
offbeat sense of humor.
No wonder you're
such good friends.
- Music off, MUD.
It's time to be grown ups.
Preparing for return trajectory.
I'm initiating contact
with ground control.
Ground control,
this is Solo One,
prepare to receive
return course countdown.
- Countdown for first stage
trajectory proceeding.
Wes-10 will initiate
reentry guidance to landing.
Advise affirmative.
- Affirmative.
Wes-10 is ready to
assume flight control.
- Solo One,
we show your vector
as 40 degrees
southeast of Jupiter.
Advise if affirmative.
- Vector affirmative as stated.
- Countdown in progress.
Zero minus 10,
nine,
eight,
seven,
six,
five,
four,
three,
two,
one.
Acceleration.
- Ah, another job well done.
Danger.
Danger.
- Increase the thrust MUD.
- Danger.
Danger.
- We're being pulled in.
- Danger.
- Pretend your shield.
- Danger.
- Put it on.
- Danger.
Danger.
- MUD.
- Danger.
- MUD, react.
What's the matter?
MUD?
MUD, are you okay?
- Danger.
- MUD, what is it?
What's wrong?
- Don't ask.
- What happened to you?
Why didn't you put up
your protective shielding?
- I don't know.
Let me pull myself together.
I'll check the damage.
- Hey MUD.
I was only out for a few seconds
after we were bombarded
by that shower.
I mean it's only been a
minute or so, correct?
- Well.
- Look at the screen, MUD.
Where the hell is Jupiter?
How did we get so
close to Earth?
- I ah,
I don't know, Mark.
- Well pull yourself
together, MUD.
What do your instruments show?
- I don't think
you'll like this.
- What is it?
- My sensors show that
two days have passed,
and that's earth up ahead.
We're right on
schedule, Mark, somehow.
- But that's not possible.
This is really weird.
We've been out of touch
with ground control
for two days.
Unless you've been in contact.
- No, I don't think I have.
- Well, sort it out MUD.
Ground control.
Ground control, zeta 148.
This is Solo One,
do you read me?
Ground control,
this is Solo One,
come in please?
Hey, hey, ground control.
Hey, hey.
Were you been?
Hodges, is that you?
You've been drinking
on the job again,
you old son of a gun?
Hey, ground control?
Ground control, answer me.
Answer me.
MUD, will you get on this?
What the hell is
going on around here?
- I'm thinking.
Yes, that's not zeta
148 frequency, Mark.
- Well who's
frequency is it then?
- I have knowledge
of 429 frequencies
in my memory banks.
We are not tuned
into any of them.
- Great.
So we're tuning to number 430.
What happened to the other 429?
- Perhaps they changed
their radio contact
code numbers.
They do that, you know.
- All of them in two days?
Okay.
- Mark?
- Have your data sensors been
on during this whole mess?
- I guess but--
- Well, that's good.
You just take whatever
information you have
and put it onto your disk,
no matter how
unimportant it may seem,
and chew on it for a while.
See what you can come up with.
- But what are you doing?
- I'm putting the ship on manual
and I'm taking us home.
- Oh you can't.
You can't do that.
You're human.
You're fallible.
You make mistakes.
You need radar homing contact.
You need me to fly this ship.
- I don't think you're in
the best of shape, MUD.
Why didn't you
give me any warning
about that meteor shower?
We've run into them before.
You were always prepared.
- Well, I, I was with, because,
well, it's your fault.
You've slowed me down.
You've made me too human
with all your unnecessary
reprogramming.
First sing this,
then play that.
- Are you telling me everything?
- Yes.
- How can I believe you?
- Would I lie to you?
- Yes.
I taught you how, remember.
Well, we are home.
Looks like there are
still a few things
that we humans can do
without the aid of a machine,
isn't there MUD.
Well, give me the exact
date and time, would you?
- 1400 hours, Pacific
Standard Time,
13th July, 1985, 85.
- Perfect.
- 85.
- Right on schedule.
- 85.
- You ever figure
out anything more
about the time lapse,
the loss of radio contact?
- No, not yet.
There's a puzzle here, Mark.
I think I'm piecing it together,
but well, I'm just not sure.
- Well that's all right,
we'll leave that for poor Ed.
He's gotta hear
something concrete
about this multimillion
dollar mission of his.
Well, bye bye Wes-10.
It was nice working with you.
Oh, I guess I was a little
off in my calculations.
Meteor shower must have thrown
the ship a bit off course.
You think they'd of at least
sent one jeep to meet me.
I guess I'll just have
to hitch a ride home.
- Negative.
You can't go home.
What about debriefing?
Decontamination checks?
After all, Captain Devore,
half of the purpose of this trip
is to check out
your state of mind.
- Later.
- Mark, Mark, please,
please don't leave me.
Please, don't leave me.
They'll disconnect my circuits
when they find out I
don't know anything
about black holes.
They'll try different
ways to make me talk.
I have a very low
tolerance for pain.
Oh, what if they recycle me?
I'll die if they recycle me.
Please, Mark, I don't wanna
end up a remote control box
for a color TV.
Look, I'll tell you everything.
Colonel Westin short
circuited my reactors.
- Why would he do that?
- I,
I told him.
- Told him what?
- The truth about the mission,
about my tapes being blank.
He keyed in directly
to my memory feed.
All he found were
Gene Autry songs.
He got mad,
so I told him the truth.
- So he shut off your reactors.
That's why you couldn't put
up the protective shielding.
Why that,
that, he didn't
want us to come back
and tell anyone the truth.
Oh, I'm gonna deal with him.
Don't you worry, MUD,
I'll look out for you.
I'm partially
responsible for this.
- Then you'll take me with you?
- How can I do that?
You're integrated
into the whole ship.
- I know what to do.
We'll put together a
mini version of me.
I'll show you how.
You can carry me in your pocket.
Come on, go in the other room.
Let's get to work.
Come on, let's go.
- Okay.
If you say so.
- Now, go take the
number three red wire
from my main circuit panel.
Ow.
- Will you stop
moaning and groaning.
You're making me nervous.
- How would you feel
if you were operated
on with no anesthetic?
Now, move the blue and
green circuit panel.
It's labeled M4.
See it?
- I see it.
- Ah, that's it.
Now integrate it into the
top portion of the box.
Boy, this is really a
good idea of yours Mark,
me being with you.
I'll be tuned into the
complete me in the ship,
sort of like a walkie talkie.
And I'll be able
to see what you see
and hear what you hear.
You'll still have all the
benefit of my intelligence.
- There you go.
I'm finished.
- Testing.
Testing.
I feel small.
- You with me, MUD?
- Yeah, but I'm
upside down, Mark.
Turn me over, I
can't see anything.
Ah, that's better.
Nice day isn't it.
- This is ridiculous.
- Are you trying
to get us killed?
- I'm trying to get us a ride.
Now what?
- You better give me a minute
to check back with Solo One.
Hmm.
Right.
Okay so far.
That's strange.
Wait a minute.
1400 hours.
July 13,
1985.
85.
86.
1986!
Oy vey.
Mark, Mark,
Mark, wait.
Wait, Mark.
Hey, wait.
They can't see you.
- What do you mean,
they don't see me?
It's a pretty outstanding
outfit, wouldn't you say?
- Mark, I have to tell you--
- Maybe they thought
I was a weirdo.
- Listen to me.
It's not that they
don't see you.
It's that they can't see you.
- Oh yeah, yeah,
I know the type.
Something like Ed,
their vision's pretty limited
unless it concerns themselves.
- Are you going to
listen to me or not?
- Why MUD, I do
believe you're angry.
- Oh, just be quiet and listen.
I've done a lot of thinking.
I've been tuned
into my memory bank.
Mark, that time lapse
you felt by Jupiter,
well, it wasn't
just a few seconds,
and it wasn't two days either.
It was a year, Mark.
One full year to the day.
- Nah.
- It was something up there
and we flew through it.
- What was it?
- Well, I guess you
could call it a door
in space and time.
A time warp.
It projected us into the future
and also put us in
some other world.
- What are you getting at, MUD?
- Well, we're in visible.
We're not here.
- Well, just where the hell
are we if we're not here?
- In another dimension, I think.
See, it's something like
being dead only we're not.
We're alive somewhere.
Of course this is only a theory,
but I think that's
what happened.
- Since when did computers
become theoretical?
- You made me what I am today.
- Ah.
Okay, okay.
Well, how come I'm not
sinking into the ground
if I'm not here?
- Mark, please,
stop throwing me around.
- Sorry.
- In answer to your question,
your body's molecular change
isn't too different from
what's normal on earth.
- Hey, I wonder if I
could walk through walls.
- I wouldn't advise it.
- Well, now,
if there really was
a door in space,
well how come ground control
didn't pick it up
on their screen,
'cause I mean it was in a vector
that was easy enough
for them to monitor.
- But its position was
blocked off from earth
by Jupiter's moons.
Look Mark, start
believing facts.
This door has an orbit.
It's moving away from
its present position
and it's imploding.
It's squeezing itself
out of its world,
maybe into another dimension.
Mark, in four days,
it will be too small and dense
for us to even squeeze through.
- So what do you want us to do?
- I want us to go
back to the ship.
I need time for a
complete systems check.
Then we'll fly back through
the warp before it disappears.
We have enough fuel on
board for a round trip.
- That's a pretty
big chance to take.
- Yes, and it's our only one.
Come on, let's go.
- Now hold on.
Now we have four days.
It takes one day to
check out the ship.
And it takes two
days to fly back.
That leaves us one day to spare.
I think I'd like to check
out this new dimension,
see what it's like
to be other worldly.
Oh, and I wanna go see
Ellen one more time.
At least I'll be with
her in spirit, huh.
Now wait, wait a minute.
Hold on.
Hold everything.
You had me believing this.
You really had me going here.
Look, I can feel this.
I'm here.
I'm solid.
I'm grounded.
MUDdy boy, you were shaken up
pretty bad back there, you know.
I think maybe you're not
thinking too straight,
and I don't think I am either
for believing any of
this for a minute.
You just put your tubes
to rest, MUDdy boy,
everything is
gonna be just fine.
- You have no faith.
- Opportunity knocks.
Hello, hello there.
Hi, remember me, the
fella you almost turned
into a highway
statistic back there?
No hard feelings.
Hey, allow me, here.
You know, it's unhealthy
to hold a grudge.
Hey listen, I have an idea.
Why don't we just let
bygones be bygones?
I'll make you a proposition,
how about letting
me fix your car,
and then you give
me a ride home, huh?
Fair enough?
Hello?
Hi, I'm an astronaut
and I just returned to earth.
Well, it seems I
took a wrong turn
somewhere up around Jupiter
and I'm a little bit lost.
I'd really appreciate
a ride home.
Yeah, you look for
the answer in there.
I'm sure you'll find it.
Take your time, take your time.
- Time.
- Hush, Baylem.
- Time.
- What is it with you people?
- Mark?
Look at the license plate.
- 86.
- I'm truly sorry, Mark.
Can we go back to the ship now?
- No, no, not yet.
Listen, if we fly back
through that warp,
or whatever it is,
we don't have any guarantee
we'll ever return.
I don't know if I could
ever make you understand
what love is, but I've
gotta spend my anniversary
with Ellen and Ron
just one more time.
It's been two years
since I've seen them.
- But mark, they won't
be able to see you,
or hear you.
They won't know
you're even there.
- Well, we'll cross that
bridge when we come to it.
I'm really invisible, huh.
I wonder what else I can
do with this new dimension.
Hey, maybe I have
supernatural powers.
Maybe I can just fly us home.
- Well, so much for mobility.
- Taking them away.
And the oppressed
man with his house.
Therefore with the lord,
behold against I am.
- The road to salvation.
- I declare.
- I wish she'd shut
that thing off.
- Huh?
- What'd you say?
- Nothing.
- Settle down, fella.
It's all right, settle down.
Settle down.
- Settle down.
- Don't you raise your
voice to me, Caleb.
- You're the one that's
doing all the squawking,
I ain't said a word.
- This is incredible.
Am I imagining this whole thing
or can that bird really hear me?
- I'll feed the information
into my data banks.
- Yeah, you do that.
We'll I be damned.
- Damned.
- You're profaning, Emily.
- Sex, more sex.
- Sex.
- So that's what
you want, is it?
Well then why did you marry me?
- Cut this out, Mark.
If the animal can hear you,
tell him to take us
straight to NASA.
- Are you kidding?
I haven't seen my
wife in two years.
- Where's your sense of duty?
You're forgetting priorities.
- Don't talk to me
about priorities.
I'm the one with a wife
and widow's ,
and a best friend
who's a murderer.
Hey you guys, drive, drive.
Come on, drive.
- Drive, drive.
Drive.
- Sit.
Not there.
- Perhaps I should
come back later.
- Stay.
- You certainly do
spend a lot of time
glued to your desk, Ed.
All that paperwork with
your new promotion.
It must feel very good
to be a one star General.
- What do you want, Rule?
Well?
- Well, I, I wanted to say, I,
I know what an effort
it must've been for you,
what with your grief at Captain
Devore's accident and all,
to convey to the commanders
as coherently as you did
the information you were
lucky enough to have gotten
from Wes-10 before
it's unfortunate demise
near Jupiter last year.
- Yes?
- I see a lot in people
they try to hide,
hopes, fears, joys.
At the debriefing
session last year,
I was watching your face.
I feel I know you well, Ed.
- What?
What do you know?
- How badly you wanted
to be a full general
and how well you covered it.
I had heard--
- What?
- Forgive me for what
I'm about to say.
These are not my words.
The astronomers are
retracting their theory
that a black hole
exists in our galaxy.
- Where did you hear that?
- In General Chase's confession.
- What else did he say?
- The General is very
concerned with saving face.
The taxpayers are revolting.
So they're going to
send Captain O'Keeffe
on a recovery mission to
get the Wes-10's tapes
and disprove all those rumors
that there was nothing up there.
Forgive me.
- Forgive you for what, Rule?
- I wanted your--
- What?
- I wanted your friendship.
I have just come from
the commander's offices
and I finally convinced them.
- Of what?
Of what, for god sakes, Rule?
What, what?
What?
- To send you on the
recovery mission to Jupiter.
- Oh my god.
- I reminded them
that this was your operation
and that it behooved
them to send you there
to finish what you started.
It was only fair.
And they agreed.
And, they're going to
make you a full general
if you return with the tapes.
- Oh my god.
- And it'll help
Ellen Devore also.
You'll be able to bring her
poor husband's remains back
for a decent hero's burial.
- Stop it Rule.
- You leave in two days, sir.
- No.
- Why?
- I have my reasons,
secret reasons.
- Well, I can keep
a secret, sir.
- Oh, I'm sure you can.
I'm getting married.
- Ed, how delightful.
Who's the lucky girl?
- Ellen Devore.
- Captain Devore's wife?
But, but--
- Yes, I know, my mother
doesn't think she's good enough
for me either.
- But she still loves--
- Me and always has.
She's had a horrid
shock, poor thing.
I've spent the last year
trying to lift her spirits.
I've kept it quiet too long.
We'll announce our
engagement tonight.
- But she never
mentioned this to me.
In fact, she's arranging
a seance tonight
to communicate with her
dead husband's spirit.
- I know, it's to get his
permission for our marriage.
Can you imagine
what a horrid shock it would be
to have her bridegroom
fly off to Jupiter
and maybe die
just one year after
her first husband did?
She's walking the narrow
line of sanity, Cardinal.
I don't want my death to
push her over the edge.
Would you?
- No, how could I?
I only wanted to help you.
It's too late to
call it off now.
They want those tapes
and they want you to get them.
- You can certainly
talk them out of it.
I have great faith in you.
And if you do, I'll
send you to Rome.
- To Rome?
- To have an audience
to see the Pope.
- The Pope.
- Papal elections
coming up soon.
- Pope.
- Talk to the commanders.
Go, go.
Bring us good news
tonight, ciao.
- Ron, is that other load ready?
- Coming.
Mom, and I a comfort to you?
- You're a lot more
than that, kid.
You're my best friend.
- Then can I ask a
question, friend to friend?
- Sure.
What's on your mind?
- It's just that I think
you're acting weird
about having that whatever
you call it tonight.
- Seance.
It's just for fun.
- Oh sure, I mean just last
week you were so different.
You were going to
go back to work.
I think your words
were it's time
to stop dwelling on the
past and look to the future.
- You're really laying
it on, aren't you.
- I'm sorry.
I just wish things were
the way they used to be.
- I know you do, sweetheart.
But we just have
to face the fact
that things are never gonna be
the same without your father.
Your dad was the kind of man
who took everything
that life had to offer
with open arms and a big smile.
I think that's a lesson we
both could probably learn.
- That still doesn't
explain the seance thing.
- You're right.
I haven't gone bananas, if
that's what's worrying you.
- I guess that's
what's worrying me.
- Okay.
I'll level with you.
I just have this feeling
lately that your dad isn't,
well that he's close by.
Now look, I don't believe in
ghosts or anything like that,
but I just have
this feeling that
if ever there were ever
a chance of contact,
tonight would be the night.
It's our wedding anniversary.
- Maybe if it were real,
like Ed will get grind off
the inner limits by a spirit.
- Now what's that
remark supposed to mean?
- Nothing.
It's his fault that dad's gone.
- Ron, that's not fair.
Ed's a good man at heart.
He feels responsible enough
for sending your
father on that mission
without your adding to it.
And he's done his best
to make life easier.
- For you, maybe.
Are you going to marry him?
- I don't know.
I don't know.
- You could do a
lot better than him.
You still are pretty
even if you are over 30.
- Oh thanks a lot.
I'll tell you what,
if I ever make that
kind of decision,
I promise you that
your vote will count.
And I hope if you ever
make that kind of decision,
that my vote will count.
- Sounds fair.
- Okay.
Look, I'm not asking
you to like Ed.
Just try to get to know
him a little better.
Will you do that for me,
just try a little harder?
- Okay, I'll try.
♪ Alas, my love,
♪ You do me wrong
♪ I don't know why
you treat me so ♪
- Mark, stop torturing yourself.
I'm sorry I ever
brought up the subject.
- Well, I'm gonna have
to face it some day.
You finished checking
out the ship yet?
- About halfway.
- Well, why don't you finish up.
I'm really not the best
of company right now.
- I understand.
♪ Alas, my love
♪ You do me wrong
Oh no.
Oh no.
Oh no.
Help.
Help, Mark.
Help.
Stop singing.
Help, Mark.
- What is it?
- Mark.
There's a leak in the
fuel catalyst system.
It's major Mark.
It's draining.
I can't stop it.
- All right, turn the car,
turn the car, come on.
Turn the car!
- Turn the car.
Turn the car.
Turn the car.
- Mark, it's too late to repair.
We're losing all the fuel.
- Hey, you forgot about
those spare fuel cylinders.
- No I didn't.
There's only enough
fuel in those tanks
for a one way trip to Jupiter.
- Well, I guess there's no
turning back now, is there.
- No turning back.
- Oh, it'll be okay, MUD.
Hey, this is almost home.
Hey, hey, stop the car.
Stop the car.
Come on, bird, come on,
tell them to stop the car.
Stop, stop.
- Stop.
Stop, stop, stop.
Stop.
Stop.
- I'm gonna kill you.
I'm gonna kill it.
It's possessed by demons, Emily.
I'm gonna kill it.
I'm gonna kill it.
I'm gonna kill it.
- Ellen, why don't you
let me buy you a dryer.
It's more civilized.
- I rather enjoy this.
- To the lady of my
dreams, to celebrate.
- Celebrate?
- I'll tell you about it
later when we're alone.
Hey, kiddo, why the long face?
Come on pooch, fetch.
Come on boy, go get it.
Come on, fetch.
Ellen, I've never
seen that mutt move.
That animal needs a dog shrink.
- Elmer's a good dog.
He just hasn't
been himself since,
Mark and he were very close.
- It's the same with our bird.
Dad taught him to
talk and do tricks,
but he hasn't let out a
peep since dad's been gone.
- Well, maybe the
dog needs vitamins.
Ellen, I wanna talk to you.
Ellen, I don't want you
to hold this silly seance.
It's not like you, Ellen.
It's a sucker for some
kinda phony hooks.
It isn't healthy.
- You sound like Ron.
- Ellen, I'm serious.
I want you to cancel it.
- I'm serious too, Ed.
I need to go through with this
and neither you nor Ron are
gonna talk me out of it.
When it's over,
well then we can talk
about what changes I'm
gonna make with my life.
But neither of you are
gonna talk me out of it
and that's that.
- Well, if you're
that determined, okay.
But I have some
good news for you.
Something that's gonna effect
your life and mine too.
And it won't take a seance
to understand it, baby.
- Oh?
Well, what news?
- I'll tell you about
it after dinner.
Could I help you with that?
- That's okay.
- Nonsense, nonsense.
- Now what did I tell you?
Let's go inside.
I'll make dinner.
- Let's go inside,
she'll get dinner.
- Ron, it's Buddy's bedtime.
Put him in your room while
I get the dessert, okay.
- Okay.
Buddy?
Where are you?
- The bird should've been in
the kitchen during dinner.
Birds shouldn't be around food.
Birds carry lice, all
kinds of diseases.
- I've told you before, Ed.
Buddy is a member of my family.
- You know, Buddy,
you just aren't fun anymore.
You never talk or play.
Buddy used to throw a tantrum
when it was his bedtime.
Dad taught him.
Buddy, it's bedtime.
But I don't wanna go to bed.
I don't wanna.
I don't wanna.
Like that.
Remember, mom?
- Yeah.
And then he'd come
up and he'd say,
oh, all right.
And then he'd bring him
over to me and he'd say,
give us a kiss sweetheart.
Give us a kiss sweetheart.
- Elmer, how you doing Elmer?
Elmer.
MUD, he can hear me.
Oh MUD, I sure have a way
with animals, don't I.
Now sit, Elmer, sit.
Elmer, up.
Up.
Lie down.
Elmer, this is fantastic.
MUD.
- It sounds like,
nah, it couldn't be.
Elmer.
Elmer.
Mom.
Elmer.
Elmer, come on.
Elmer.
Elmer.
- Oh Ron.
- Elmer.
- Ellen.
- Let's go inside, sweetheart.
- Ole Rover finally joined
the land of the living, huh.
Ellen, stop looking so glum.
Tonight's going to be a night
filled with wondrous surprises,
more wondrous than
rover's call of the wild.
- Sweetheart, clear the
dessert dishes, will you?
When you're done.
I wonder what happened
to Cardinal Rule.
I can't start the
seance without him.
- A seance, you're
having a seance?
- Ellen, you can't avoid this
confrontation any longer.
- Ed, let's not talk
about it tonight, okay.
- Not talk about it Ellen,
it's the most important
conversation I can imagine.
- Except for talking
about yourself, jerk.
- Ellen, I adore you.
I've always meant to have you.
Ellen, every event that's
lead to this moment
was pre-destined.
You were created to
be worshiped by me.
- Ed, please.
- Ellen, let me take
you away from this life.
Ellen, you're not
meant to be here.
- Hey, what's so
wrong with this life?
She likes it.
I like it.
- Ellen, marry me.
I was Mark's best friend.
He would've wanted it that way.
- Oh no.
Oh no I wouldn't.
You're not falling for any
of this, are you Ellen?
You're gonna pay
for this, Westin.
- Ellen, Mark is dead.
He's never gonna walk
through that door again.
- I know what you're
saying is true.
I just can't let him go.
I can't believe I'll
never see him again.
I know you've been good to us.
Oh, I don't know what to say.
- Say yes.
- No.
- I got it.
- You keep out of this.
Oh god, what am I gonna do now.
- Look Mark, there's
a bird in this house.
I picked it up on my scanner.
- Buddy.
- Right.
We can get Buddy to communicate.
- You're right.
- I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'm late.
I know, but, congratulations.
- What for?
- Hello, congratulations.
May I?
- Please.
- Ellen, would you
go out to my car?
There's another lovely
bottle of wine there.
I think our friend here
could use a little refresher.
- Certainly.
- Did you talk to the
commanding general?
- I didn't.
I couldn't.
My conscious wouldn't allow it.
- Your what?
You're praddling,
you're drinking.
- Oh, I am not.
As a friend, and
as a psychologist,
I couldn't allow you to
be so unjust to yourself.
This time, you're gonna
get what you deserve.
- But--
- The commanders are making
a formal announcement
to the press right
at this moment.
- Me?
Fly to Jupiter.
- You're going to Jupiter?
- Me, alone in space.
- Don't worry.
God will be your copilot.
- I can't.
I can't.
- What, no pioneer spirit?
- Just keep your sight
on those tapes, Ed.
And all they'll mean
to you when you return.
- But there's nothing
on those tapes.
Ellen, Ellen.
The cardinal has just brought
us the most wonderful news.
I'm going to fly to
Jupiter all by myself.
The Solo Two space probe
where I will locate
Mark's remains
and see that they get the
treatment they deserve.
- Mark, a ship,
did you hear that?
He's got a ship!
- So.
- So dummy, don't you
see the possibilities?
- Then I'm coming back.
I'm going to quit the Air Force.
I'm going to retire
and we'll get married
and we'll move to South
America, my darling.
- Isn't anybody gonna get that?
- I'll get it.
- Who are you?
- What are you?
- Mrs. Chesere.
- Oh, Mrs. Chesere.
- Oh, what a lovely house.
We should begin immediately.
Ah, this table will be fine.
Now I want you all to be seated.
- You're expecting someone else?
- She should know.
- This is really very
unorthodox of me.
- Silence please.
All hold hands.
Close your eyes.
In the beginning, man is not.
Then he is.
Then again, he is not.
But his spirit is
forever living,
unfounded by time.
Mark Devore, we
wish you welcome.
We bring you no harm.
We are your channels,
your instruments of contact.
We are preparing our unconscious
minds to be your servants.
Speak to us.
Speak through us.
His spirit is flying
through space,
leaving the cold
unrest of Jupiter
for the warm comfort of home.
You have left many who love you.
Their lives are
troubled without you.
Come to us, Mark.
Come to us.
- How much are you
paying for this?
- Shh.
Give us a sign of your presence.
Answer us, Mark.
Give us a sign.
Are you there?
Oh, are you there?
Are you there?
Are you there?
Are you there?
- You called?
Here I am.
I am resurrected.
- This is a rotten
trick, you little twerp.
- Going to Jupiter, Ed.
Remember me.
- Kid, I didn't know you
were a ventriloquist,
but I'm warning you to
shut your trap this minute.
I'm warning you.
- Buddy?
Mark?
- Give me a kiss, sweetheart.
I don't wanna go to bed.
I don't wanna go.
I don't wanna go.
Mother.
No black hole, Eddie.
Nothing on the tape.
- You're not Mark.
This is a trick.
It's your idea of some
lousy kind of a joke.
- I ain't got no body--
- You're a sick woman, sick.
You're no better than your
lousy, rotten husband.
Our marriage is off.
- Ed.
- Don't beg.
- Get me a twinkie
while you're out.
- So long Eddie.
See you around.
Don't hurry back.
Nice work, Buddy.
- Mark?
Is it you?
- Dad?
- Did anything happen?
- Oh.
No, not really.
Our bird just got loose
and it scared our friends.
So they left.
That's all.
- Well, it doesn't always
work the first time.
We'll try it again.
Oh, it's late, I must go.
The bill is $35.
You can mail me a check.
Goodbye dears.
- Dad, is it really you?
Tell us what happened, dad.
- Happy anniversary.
- Mark, you took
a terrible risk.
You should have
gone back to Jupiter
as soon as MUD told to.
- I had to see you again.
- Darling.
- Buddy tired.
- Ron, put Buddy to bed.
Poor thing's exhausted.
- But I don't wanna go to bed.
But I don't wanna go to bed.
I don't wanna go.
But I don't wanna go to bed.
- Where are you, Mark?
- I'm right here.
- Good night.
I love you.
- Spoilsport.
- Mark, I'm not a voyeur.
Now let's get back to business.
- Oh, I don't know, MUD.
The Solo Two doesn't leave
for another two days.
And by the time we
get to the warp,
it'll be too late.
At least those were
your calculations.
- I might be wrong.
- You might also be right.
- Do you wanna abandon the plan?
- No.
- All right, then
let's continue.
This is the most important part.
Even if we can get
to the Solo Two
and be on it when it's launched,
there's still two
very risky obstacles.
- All right, let's have them.
- One, the Solo Two will
have to have been built
a full year ago.
- That's right.
If it's any newer,
when we fly through the warp,
the ship might disappear.
- Yes, it wouldn't
have existed then.
And we've gotta get exact data
on when the ship was built.
- I'll get Ellen to check
on that in the morning.
- Mark, I said there
were two problems.
The second one is fuel.
Even if the ship is a year old,
the fuel in it won't be.
It can't be stored
for that long.
So when, if we
come back to 1985,
we'll be without power
to get us back to earth.
- The fuel cylinders.
Ellen will drive
us to the Solo One
and I'll pick up
the extra tanks.
And we can hook them
up in the Solo Two
right after we go
through the warp.
That'll give us
plenty to get home.
- Good thinking.
So it's all settled then.
Let's get some rest.
- Yes.
No.
There's a third problem.
- What?
- What about you?
What'll happen to you when
we fly through the warp?
Your main components
are in the Solo One,
and there's too much of you
to move to the other ship.
And besides, I don't have
skill to reassemble you.
You'd be a vegetable.
And I'm not going
without you, MUD.
What's so funny?
- Mark, it's so simple.
When you pick up the cylinders,
we'll also pick up my
hydro laser crystal.
- Your what?
- My crystal, my key, my heart,
my soul, whatever
you wanna call it.
- Now wait a minute.
I never heard of any
hydro laser crystal.
- Well you wouldn't.
The crystal is what makes me
the most advanced
computer in existence.
It's what separates the
men from the boys, kid.
- MUD, are you
telling me the truth?
- Mark, when it
comes to survival,
I'm the most honest
machine you've met.
Of course, you realize
the biggest problem.
- Which is?
- There's no guarantee
we'll come back at all.
- Okay, okay, let me be
sure I got it straight.
You want me to call Ed and
tell him that I'll marry him.
- Yuck.
- Then I get him to tell me
when the launching
is gonna take place
and when the Solo Two was built?
- Got it.
- Then I talk him
into letting me
go to the launching station
and I take you and
MUD to the Solo Two.
Is that it?
- I think you forgot,
the fuel and MUD's laser.
- Oh, of course.
First I take you and
MUD to the Solo One.
You'll come with us, won't
you, Buddy, I mean Mark?
- Mom, he can't.
Buddy gets carsick.
He'll throw up.
Hey, we'll take Elmer.
Dad can have him
bark the directions.
Once for left, twice for right.
Three times for
straight ahead, okay?
- Okay.
- Okay.
Here it goes.
I'd do better without
an audience, you guys.
Hello, Ed,
oh please don't hang up, please.
I have to talk to you, please.
It was a nightmare for
me too, my darling.
I just never knew
that Ron was so, so,
you're right, he
should be punished.
He is being punished right now.
He's in his room right this
minute as a matter of fact.
I've grounded him for a month.
All right, my dear,
if you think I should
be more severe with him,
I certainly will be.
A special school?
Well, we'll talk about it.
- Some father he'd make.
- Ed, darling,
you left last night before
I could give you my answer.
It's yes.
I have thoughts about you
you wouldn't dream of.
All right, my dear,
if you think a
psychiatrist would help me.
Whatever you say dear.
Yes, let's get
married right away.
Oh Ed, I'm so proud of you
being chosen for this mission.
But darling, is it a safe ship?
Hold old is it?
Six, eight months?
Is it over a year old?
You wanna know why I'm asking?
I just, well, I,
I thought that some of the
older ships were safer.
I worry.
I'm in love.
Love means worry.
You'll let me know tomorrow.
Oh, that would certainly
reassure me, my dear.
Now you must be very busy, Ed.
When do you launch?
Of course I'll see
you before you go.
I love you best too.
Bye.
Let's go before I get carsick.
- Watch those curves
next time, Ellen.
- Well how do we know if
Dad's still back there.
- Elmer would've
barked or something.
- Really?
- Where is Elmer?
- What if we left him behind?
- Don't be such a pessimist.
Mark?
Mark?
- Come on, let's
go inside fella.
- Mark?
Mark?
- Speak.
- Oh good, good, you're here.
Well what now?
What are we gonna do now?
What?
I didn't get that.
What?
- I said relax for
a while and wait.
Relax and wait.
- Buddy?
Talk you dumb bird, talk.
- Mark, he has laryngitis,
what are we gonna do now?
Maybe if I just concentrate.
- Ellen, don't get so upset.
Look at me, don't get so upset.
I don't know what I could do.
- Hello?
What?
What?
I can't hear you.
What?
Oh, oh Ed.
What's that noise?
Oh, it's just Elmer
acting up again.
Quiet.
Ed, darling,
you're leaving tonight?
Oh no, you can't.
- Tonight!
That's wonderful.
Don't try to talk
him out of it, Ellen.
Oh, oh Ed, sweetheart,
you can't leave tonight.
I mean we haven't
said our goodbyes
in a proper manner.
You know what I mean.
- I think he should
go tonight, don't you?
- Yes, speak.
- Was that a yes or a no?
- Speak.
- Do we continue with the plan
and take you to the ship today?
- Speak.
- Should mom say
goodbye to uncle Ed?
- Yes.
- He wants to come
over here, right now
to say his goodbyes.
- Ellen, you were
too convincing.
- That means no, mom.
We've gotta get dad
out to the ship.
- Get yourself out
of this one, girl.
Ed, sorry,
darling, I've changed my mind.
Oh, not about us, sweetheart.
Where could be exciting.
Well, what do you
mean it's not proper?
We're two consenting adults.
What about your ship?
What do you mean
it's not protocol?
Whatever you say sweetheart.
You want protocol or play?
I'll get into something
more comfortable.
I'll see you in an hour.
- I won't remember any of
this a year ago, will I?
- No, son.
- It'll be as if
this never happened,
like a dream you can't remember.
I'll be who I was in 1985
and mom will be who she was,
and uncle Ed will
be the same bad guy,
and you wouldn't have died
or been missing or anything,
and you won't even know it.
But even if I don't remember,
this did happen, didn't it?
Didn't it?
This is real, isn't it mom?
- Yes, Ron, it is real.
- So what I wanna say, Dad,
when I'm living in 1985 again,
and I'm younger,
I might not tell you too much,
but I love you 'cause
I won't know then
how much more I love you know.
And you won't either.
- Yes I will, Ron, yes I will.
- Anyway, I just wanted
you to know that.
Come on.
Come on.
- Ellen, you came.
Wait, Ellen, the
kid and the dog,
you know they're not allowed.
I cleared it this time,
but it's not for an adult.
It violates base security.
- I just got carried away.
- Oh Ellen.
You're right,
Ellen, you're right.
The element of danger
does heighten the moment.
- Goodbye, Ellen.
I love you.
- Ed, Ed, please.
- I care so much.
- Ed, Ed, Ed, Ed.
Ed, please,
please, someone may come in, Ed.
Take it off.
Take it off.
Take it off.
- Get it off.
Is there more zippers.
- Down.
Take it off.
- Oh sorry.
- It's almost time.
- 49.
48, 47.
- You gotta leave.
- Go on, go on,
get away from me.
- Don't leave.
- What's the kid doing?
He's biting my leg.
- I don't want you to go.
- find out there's
nothing on those tapes.
- Oh, that was some
confession, Private Westin.
Goodbye, Mark.
I love you.
- Dad, I'll remember, you won.
- 37.
36.
35.
34.
33.
32.
30 and counting.
28.
27.
26.
25.
24.
23.
22.
21.
20.
19.
18.
17.
16.
15.
14.
13.
12.
- Well, MUD,
this is it.
- 10.
- No turning back now.
- Eight.
- Pray god, this
ship is a year old.
- Amen.
- Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
We have liftoff.
- You scared, Mark?
- You're damn right I'm scared.
- It's up ahead.
Hold on, Mark, hold on.
- Are you okay?
Is your crystal in
place and everything?
Did I do that right?
- Don't worry about me.
Here we go.
- Okay.
Here we go.
- Mark, I'm not going
to make it through.
- Yes you are.
You can make it.
You've got your crystal.
- Mark, there isn't
any such thing
as a hydro laser crystal.
My data banks, all my circuits,
they're still grounded back
on the other ship in 1986.
You assembled this Wes-10
pocked edition in 1986.
When you come back in 1985,
I'm not going to be.
- MUD.
- So I lied, so
what else is new.
The universe is a
funny place, Mark.
Who knows, we might meet again.
- No.
- Remember, I'm alive somewhere.
Mark.
Mark.
I'm going.
- No.
- You're the best
friend I've ever had.
- No, MUD, you can make it.
I know you can.
You've got to make it, MUD.
See.
See, I told you.
Oh MUD.
MUD.
- Solo One, this is Zeta 158,
do you read?
Can you hear us, Captain Devore?
We're tracking you
with radar, captain.
Please respond.
- I made it.
I made it, MUD.
I'm going home.
Thanks for everything.
- We lost contact
with you two days.
Please answer us, captain.
Are you all right, sir?
Wes-10, this is ground control.
Respond.
We have five minutes to go.
It looks like a
good day for pickup.
Yes, all systems are on
go, manual is all set.
We have a radio
contact that's come in
and says that we have
a pickup at.
We'll be starting our
countdown before long.
This is central control,
we have about a little more,
a little more than
four minutes to go.
So do you hear me?
I want you to run a
systems check if you can
over on the quaters and check
with me when you get it fixed.
I want to know all systems.
I want, we'll have
that weather report
in a few minutes.
- This way please.
In less than four minutes,
ladies and gentlemen,
NASA officials will be
making their first radio
and video contact
with the United States
spacecraft, Solo One,
which is now on
its return flight
after conducting
experimental mission
into the farthest
reaches of our galaxy.
- And no one has spoken with
or seen him for a year, right?
- That's correct.
Now gentlemen, if you will
step here behind the rope.
That's very good, all cameras
and cameramen on that side.
- Protective shield ready.
- This is actually the
farthest reach of the galaxy.
- This is the first
time at this is ever--
- Yeah.
- Well who is this?
- That's Cardinal Rule,
that's R-U-L-E.
And he is the
consulting theologian
and psychologist
of the Air Force.
- Oh.
- Excuse me,
I just want to see.
- Oh.
- I'll be you in just a moment.
- Great.
- Oh, sir, very nice to see you.
- Lieutenant Hawkins?
- Yes indeed.
Right here.
So glad you were
able to.
Thank you.
- Thank you.
- I'll be with you
in just a moment.
- Thank you very much.
- Yes, now what he is
showing you are the--
- Protective shield folding.
- What is this,
the rainy season?
- All right, we're ready for
an interface with Solo One,
and it looks like
weather is fine.
- Westin--
- That is Colonel Westin.
W-E-S-T-I-N.
He's the officer in
charge of the mission.
- Okay.
- He got this mission
off the ground
when everyone else
was against it.
- Right, right.
- Sir, we should be in
contact in 3 1/2 minutes.
- I'll tell you
something off the record.
He sent his very best friend
on this dangerous mission
because he didn't want
to be a hero himself.
- Okay.
- Oh, certainly.
Colonel, this is Tina
Hawkins of the Tribune.
She'd like very
much to talk to you
and ask you some
questions about your--
- How do you do?
- Ellen Devore,
Ellen, I'm so happy to see you.
How long has it been?
- You just saw us two hours ago
at the Burger King.
- Say hello, Ron.
- Hello.
- Ed, when will we
be making contact?
- Contact?
- With the ship?
- Oh, the ship.
Very soon,
about 1400 hours.
- That's two o'clock, mom.
- You're a smart
little boy, Ron.
Why don't you go ask Mitch
to buy you a lolly pop.
I wanna talk to
your mother alone.
- No.
- No what?
- No, I don't wanna lolly pop.
I've outgrown lolly pops.
- Colonel Westin, we're ready
for your interview, sir.
Sir.
- Two years ago,
May 13, 1983,
high powered radio scopes
picked up unusual flickers
from a point in space
where no star was
known to exist.
Our instrumentation
was able to determine
that the shape was round
with the dimensions of
about eight football fields
laid side by side.
After assimilating
all known data,
we determined it
was a black hole,
the only one to ever have been
sighted in our own galaxy.
The instrumentation showed
a rotation to this form,
which fit into my theory.
I personally was overwhelmed
by the vast opportunities
this presented for study.
♪ And the skies are
not cloudy all day ♪
The Solo One had
been in readiness for
just such a mission.
About a week before
the Solo One's launch,
the black hole seemed to
disappear from our monitorings.
I concluded that this was due
to the constant movement
of interstellar matter
which blocked it from
our monitoring systems,
therefore, I urged the
launch to take place.
The mission of the Solo One
was to fly to the site
of this phenomenon,
monitor it for rotation
and orbital movement,
measure gravitational pull.
On board the Solo One is the
most highly advanced computer
ever to have been
assembled by me, by man,
the Wes-10.
It is the Wes-10's prime
function and responsibility
to unlock the
mysteries of space,
to carry out the
duties of this mission.
- Two minutes to contact.
- Colonel, colonel,
would you give us
more information
on phase two of the
mission prior to contact?
And something about
the astronaut?
- On board the Solo One
is astronaut Mark Devore.
For details on that
phase of the mission,
I now turn the proceedings
over to our consulting
theologian and psychologist,
Cardinal Rule.
- I never knew Captain
Devore personally,
but from--
I never knew Captain
Devore personally,
but from speaking with
those who knew him,
I mean who know him,
I find him to be
much a beloved man.
Beloved by his wife, Ellen,
beloved by his son, Ron.
- One minute to contact.
- Speed it up and
spit it out, Rule.
- Phase two of the mission
is to study a black hole's
effect on a human being,
psychologically, physically,
and of course, spiritually.
- 40 seconds.
- Yeah, but there's
more, you see,
and this is the
most important part.
Oh well.
This has been man's first solo
space voyage of this length.
Its outcome will have great
bearings on future flights
by man into the outer
reaches of the universe.
How does he hold
up psychologically
being alone in the void
with just a machine
as his sole companion?
- Just a machine, Cardinal?
- What happens to his psyche
when he is confronted
by the vast unknown?
- That doesn't work,
that doesn't have the work.
That's okay.
- Extensive psychological tests
will be carried out on Captain
Devore upon his return.
No human being has
spoken to Captain Devore
for a full year.
He has had no contact
with any living creature.
This first communication
will tell all.
We must hope for the best,
and be strong enough
to accept the worst.
- Now just a minute
please, Cardinal,
the Wes-10 is not
just a computer.
I created him to be the
perfect companion to man,
present company excluded.
The Wes-10 was
created in my image.
- Solo One now entering
communication range.
Beginning countdown to
radio and picture relay.
Zero minus 30
seconds and counting.
- And counting.
♪ And the skies are
not cloudy all day ♪
♪ Home, home on the range
♪ Where the deer and
the antelope play ♪
- Wes-10 is multilingual.
It's programmed in
human psychology,
freudian transactional,
Yongian, Gestalt.
- 20 seconds.
- It can play challenging
games of chess,
backgammon.
- 15 seconds.
- It can converse on
meaningful topics.
The Wes-10 is a comfort
to a man who's alone.
It is man's best friend.
It programs nutritional diets.
It has in its memory bank
the most select of
American European classic
thinkers and authors.
And on top of all this,
the Wes-10 is still able
to perfectly maintain
all the functions
of the spacecraft
and carry out the vital
research of this mission.
- 10 seconds.
Nine,
eight,
seven, six,
five,
four, three,
two, one.
We have picture.
- Dad, that's my dad.
- It is with great pride
that we welcome you back into
the , Captain Devore.
How often our thoughts
have been with you,
how often our voices
raised in prayer
for your safe return,
how often we have
pondered your journey.
Our minds' trying
to mesh with yours.
Your deprivations have
been ours, Captain Devore.
For now, we would
like to share you joy.
Tell us, captain,
what gleam of
light sustained you
throughout the
long, long darkness?
- Sex.
Sex.
Sex.
Sex.
Sex.
Bring me my woman.
Bring me Ellen.
Ellen?
Ellen!
- Good thing we're
not on the air, huh.
- Oh Mark.
Dear Mark.
- Ellen!
Ellen!
- Ladies and gentlemen,
the interview's over.
We'll see you back here
30 minutes before air time
in four hours.
- Right sir, but could you
give us a brief statement
on Captain Devore's behavior?
- Ellen!
- Later, please.
I must have time to examine
the situation in depth more.
- But--
- Fear, I greatly fear
for that poor young man.
The long solitary confinement,
it's much worse than I expected.
- He hasn't changed a damn bit.
That, Cardinal,
that is a sick man.
He's destroyed my careful
choreographing of this moment.
My promotion to general
depends on this mission.
Mark Devore has
foiled me every time.
I won't let him do it again.
- Well then why did you
send him on this mission
instead of going yourself?
You had the opportunity.
- Because I thought
if he were gone,
Ellen would forget.
- They appear deeply in love.
- Love.
I'm a handsome man, cardinal.
Bright, witty, I have style.
Once I gather the data
from the Wes-10 tapes
and release it to the top brass,
I'll be on talk shows.
I'll give lectures.
I'll write books.
There'll be probe groupies.
And then Ellen won't
be able to resist me
especially when I'm prove to her
how unbalanced her
husband really is.
Cardinal, haven't
you ever felt driven?
Isn't there something that
you would long to achieve?
- Well, I'd,
I'd like to be Pope.
- Pope?
Pope?
Yes.
Pope, you'd make a
fine, outstanding
spiritual leader, Rule.
- I try my best, Colonel.
- Then get Captain
Devore committed.
- And uncle Ed
drowned the goldfish.
I had them in the toilet
while I was draining the water
and he flushed him down.
- Ellen, I think Ed is
hazardous to animals,
at least Ron can swim.
- I think we've spent
enough time on levity,
don't you captain?
Would you excuse us, dear?
There's some classified matters
I'd like to discuss
with your husband.
- Hey, hey, wait, wait,
you haven't asked me
what I want for our
anniversary dinner yet.
- You're sure you'll
be home in time?
- Well, if this ship flies as
well as Ed promised it would,
I should be landing on
July 13th in three days.
And our anniversary's
on the 14th, remember.
- I'll count the
moments until then.
I love you, Mark.
I have to go now.
I love you.
- And I love you.
Ellen?
Ron?
Gee, I'm awfully sorry about
my opening statement, Eddie
but I had no idea the
press was gonna be there.
I thought it was just family.
- I'll issue a statement
to that effect.
Well Mark, how do you feel?
- Never better, Eddie.
- No feelings of disorientation?
Vagueness?
Lack of memory?
Hallucinations?
- Well, actually I feel fine.
I feel more aware than ever.
I remembered my
anniversary, didn't I.
That's no small fete for someone
who's been living in a place
where time has no meaning.
- So you feel fine?
- Yes.
There was a hell of a lot
of meteor activity though.
My teeth are still
rattling from that.
- Well, that's, that's
good, that's fine.
I guess we can thank my Wes-10
for your sense of wellbeing.
He's quite a fascinating
piece of equipment,
isn't he, Captain?
- Oh, Wes-10,
Eddie, I,
actually, you know,
I found the Wes-10 to be dull.
- What do you mean?
- It's okay now, Eddie,
I modified him
just a little bit.
- Modified him?
What's to modify?
The Wes-10 is perfect,
I created him.
- That's just what
I'm getting at, Eddie.
He's boring.
I mean who plays cribbage?
I like a hot game of poker
with someone who
cheats intelligently.
- He cheats?
- He does now.
- Well, what other
computers do you know
who can sing you lullabies
if you can't sleep?
- But does he have to sing
in a Pakistani dialect?
I mean really, Eddie?
♪ Rock-A-Bye baby
♪ On the tree top
Could you sleep to that?
But it's okay, I
made a few changes.
- You had no right.
I am the Wes-10.
- Well, then your name is mud.
- You.
- It's okay, Eddie,
it's just an acronym for
more unnecessary data.
You see, that's what he says
every time I make a new entry,
more unnecessary data, MUD.
You get it, Eddie?
- Let me talk to Wes-10, now.
Hey MUD, you're on.
- Good afternoon,
General Westin.
- Hey, he's only a Colonel.
- On the basis of the
results of this mission,
Captain Devore, I feel I
can confidently predict
that there are major
changes in store
for Colonel Westin.
- Thank you for your vote
of confidence, Wes-10.
- I am never wrong, sir.
- Ho, ho, that sounds familiar.
- Wes-10, there are
certain modifications
Captain Devore has claimed
to have made on you.
Respond please.
- Colonel Westin,
I will comment on
your statement.
With all due respect
to Captain Devore,
I must inform you
that I found him
to be a chronic teaser,
childish in manners,
summary, not to be
taken seriously.
- But the modifications?
- Are a falsehood.
I am the Wes-10.
I would not allow
more unnecessary data
to be programmed
into my memory banks.
- Well, I must say I
am relieved, Wes-10.
Captain Devore, you might
take a lesson from the Wes-10
and try to act more like
an adult in the future.
- Oh, okay.
- Wes-10, give me a
summary of the data
you collected on the black hole.
I was right on, wasn't I?
- Colonel Westin,
Colonel Westin,
I must advise you
that it is imprudent
to speak on a subject
of such major
importance in security
over public radio airwaves.
One never knows who is
tuned into one's frequency.
- Well, now, Mark.
- Well, I'm afraid
I'll have to agree
with MUD's security
measures, Eddie.
You know how it is.
- Well, I respect
your decision, Wes-10.
Mark, the Wes-10 will proceed
with your return flight plans
and we'll supervise
your landing.
Anticipate a touchdown
set for 72 hours
with countdown beginning
at C minus 30 minutes.
The top brass will be at
the landing site, Mark.
This is an historical event.
Please keep that in mind
and try to appear
normal for a change.
- Okay, stinky.
- One more item, Wes-10.
I'm switching over
to program alpha 832,
classified security
information input.
Prepare to receive.
- Hey, what is this?
What is this?
- Captain Devore, there are
functions of this mission
even you are not privy to.
- Probably why I keep
an uncluttered mind.
- Ground control will
monitor your return by radar.
Lots of luck on
your trip, Wes-10.
- Hey stinky.
- Yes, Captain?
Okay, so what was this dueling
numbers duet all about?
Well come on, what did he say?
You know, you still
blush when you lie.
So?
- He say he very happy
to be in this country.
- Okay, okay, I'll let it alone.
- My circuitry must be tangled.
My mind feels blank.
- It's called denial, bud.
I know what a
disappointment it is.
You spend a whole year in space
with your sensors trying
to pick up the black hole
only to find out
there wasn't one.
It's a big letdown.
It's perfectly normal feeling.
- Thank you for
reassuring me, Mark.
- Hey, MUD, we're
buddies, I like you.
- You're a nice human, Mark.
- Oh poor Ed.
This is really
gonna destroy him.
He wants so badly
to be a general,
and you know, he's probably
gonna get busted to private.
Still, it was good of you
to stick with me on that.
He shouldn't be told anything
until we're face to face.
I think I'll help
him if I'm there.
All the same, you
are a beautiful liar.
- Look, I should hide him,
he created me.
So I spare him a
disappointment for a few days.
He shouldn't worry.
Listen kid, a man's gotta
rest easy on his pillow.
I proclaim of course,
for the good of the
mission, you understand,
that you are responsible
for erasing my tapes.
- Now that's the
MUD I know and love.
What a dump.
Well, I suppose the
least I can do for Ed
is to get this place in order.
How about a little schmaltzy
music to listen to.
- Will you look at him.
He's such a good boy.
He's cleaning up his room.
That's it kid,
clean up a America.
Make it beautiful.
Eh, how many times do
I have to tell you,
don't sing with your mouth full.
Hey big boy,
how do you keep that figure?
My goodness, you're so svelte.
- Hey MUD,
how are the fuel and
catalyst supplies holding up?
Should we pipe in
the spare tanks?
- I will survey.
One moment please.
Captain.
- Uh huh?
- There is enough
fuel in the main tanks
to get us home and
back here again.
- Enough to get us home.
Well, that's all I care about.
Going home.
- Ellen, Ellen, Ellen,
there's no reason
to act so flustered.
- Flustered?
Who's flustered?
What, me flustered?
Why should I be flustered?
How many people do you know
whose husband's coming home
from Jupiter for dinner?
- Yes, I'd be a
little upset too.
- Ed, I'm just so excited.
- Excited?
So am I.
- You're such a good friend,
here, put these in the
top shelf will you?
Over there.
Let me see.
Twinkies,
olives,
popcorn.
I wonder if he's gonna
like the waterbed.
- I would.
- Well yes, but after
a year in outer space
and weightlessness, he
might prefer something
a little more substantial.
- Mark?
Oh, he's never coming
back down to earth.
- Oh you guys.
You have such an
offbeat sense of humor.
No wonder you're
such good friends.
- Music off, MUD.
It's time to be grown ups.
Preparing for return trajectory.
I'm initiating contact
with ground control.
Ground control,
this is Solo One,
prepare to receive
return course countdown.
- Countdown for first stage
trajectory proceeding.
Wes-10 will initiate
reentry guidance to landing.
Advise affirmative.
- Affirmative.
Wes-10 is ready to
assume flight control.
- Solo One,
we show your vector
as 40 degrees
southeast of Jupiter.
Advise if affirmative.
- Vector affirmative as stated.
- Countdown in progress.
Zero minus 10,
nine,
eight,
seven,
six,
five,
four,
three,
two,
one.
Acceleration.
- Ah, another job well done.
Danger.
Danger.
- Increase the thrust MUD.
- Danger.
Danger.
- We're being pulled in.
- Danger.
- Pretend your shield.
- Danger.
- Put it on.
- Danger.
Danger.
- MUD.
- Danger.
- MUD, react.
What's the matter?
MUD?
MUD, are you okay?
- Danger.
- MUD, what is it?
What's wrong?
- Don't ask.
- What happened to you?
Why didn't you put up
your protective shielding?
- I don't know.
Let me pull myself together.
I'll check the damage.
- Hey MUD.
I was only out for a few seconds
after we were bombarded
by that shower.
I mean it's only been a
minute or so, correct?
- Well.
- Look at the screen, MUD.
Where the hell is Jupiter?
How did we get so
close to Earth?
- I ah,
I don't know, Mark.
- Well pull yourself
together, MUD.
What do your instruments show?
- I don't think
you'll like this.
- What is it?
- My sensors show that
two days have passed,
and that's earth up ahead.
We're right on
schedule, Mark, somehow.
- But that's not possible.
This is really weird.
We've been out of touch
with ground control
for two days.
Unless you've been in contact.
- No, I don't think I have.
- Well, sort it out MUD.
Ground control.
Ground control, zeta 148.
This is Solo One,
do you read me?
Ground control,
this is Solo One,
come in please?
Hey, hey, ground control.
Hey, hey.
Were you been?
Hodges, is that you?
You've been drinking
on the job again,
you old son of a gun?
Hey, ground control?
Ground control, answer me.
Answer me.
MUD, will you get on this?
What the hell is
going on around here?
- I'm thinking.
Yes, that's not zeta
148 frequency, Mark.
- Well who's
frequency is it then?
- I have knowledge
of 429 frequencies
in my memory banks.
We are not tuned
into any of them.
- Great.
So we're tuning to number 430.
What happened to the other 429?
- Perhaps they changed
their radio contact
code numbers.
They do that, you know.
- All of them in two days?
Okay.
- Mark?
- Have your data sensors been
on during this whole mess?
- I guess but--
- Well, that's good.
You just take whatever
information you have
and put it onto your disk,
no matter how
unimportant it may seem,
and chew on it for a while.
See what you can come up with.
- But what are you doing?
- I'm putting the ship on manual
and I'm taking us home.
- Oh you can't.
You can't do that.
You're human.
You're fallible.
You make mistakes.
You need radar homing contact.
You need me to fly this ship.
- I don't think you're in
the best of shape, MUD.
Why didn't you
give me any warning
about that meteor shower?
We've run into them before.
You were always prepared.
- Well, I, I was with, because,
well, it's your fault.
You've slowed me down.
You've made me too human
with all your unnecessary
reprogramming.
First sing this,
then play that.
- Are you telling me everything?
- Yes.
- How can I believe you?
- Would I lie to you?
- Yes.
I taught you how, remember.
Well, we are home.
Looks like there are
still a few things
that we humans can do
without the aid of a machine,
isn't there MUD.
Well, give me the exact
date and time, would you?
- 1400 hours, Pacific
Standard Time,
13th July, 1985, 85.
- Perfect.
- 85.
- Right on schedule.
- 85.
- You ever figure
out anything more
about the time lapse,
the loss of radio contact?
- No, not yet.
There's a puzzle here, Mark.
I think I'm piecing it together,
but well, I'm just not sure.
- Well that's all right,
we'll leave that for poor Ed.
He's gotta hear
something concrete
about this multimillion
dollar mission of his.
Well, bye bye Wes-10.
It was nice working with you.
Oh, I guess I was a little
off in my calculations.
Meteor shower must have thrown
the ship a bit off course.
You think they'd of at least
sent one jeep to meet me.
I guess I'll just have
to hitch a ride home.
- Negative.
You can't go home.
What about debriefing?
Decontamination checks?
After all, Captain Devore,
half of the purpose of this trip
is to check out
your state of mind.
- Later.
- Mark, Mark, please,
please don't leave me.
Please, don't leave me.
They'll disconnect my circuits
when they find out I
don't know anything
about black holes.
They'll try different
ways to make me talk.
I have a very low
tolerance for pain.
Oh, what if they recycle me?
I'll die if they recycle me.
Please, Mark, I don't wanna
end up a remote control box
for a color TV.
Look, I'll tell you everything.
Colonel Westin short
circuited my reactors.
- Why would he do that?
- I,
I told him.
- Told him what?
- The truth about the mission,
about my tapes being blank.
He keyed in directly
to my memory feed.
All he found were
Gene Autry songs.
He got mad,
so I told him the truth.
- So he shut off your reactors.
That's why you couldn't put
up the protective shielding.
Why that,
that, he didn't
want us to come back
and tell anyone the truth.
Oh, I'm gonna deal with him.
Don't you worry, MUD,
I'll look out for you.
I'm partially
responsible for this.
- Then you'll take me with you?
- How can I do that?
You're integrated
into the whole ship.
- I know what to do.
We'll put together a
mini version of me.
I'll show you how.
You can carry me in your pocket.
Come on, go in the other room.
Let's get to work.
Come on, let's go.
- Okay.
If you say so.
- Now, go take the
number three red wire
from my main circuit panel.
Ow.
- Will you stop
moaning and groaning.
You're making me nervous.
- How would you feel
if you were operated
on with no anesthetic?
Now, move the blue and
green circuit panel.
It's labeled M4.
See it?
- I see it.
- Ah, that's it.
Now integrate it into the
top portion of the box.
Boy, this is really a
good idea of yours Mark,
me being with you.
I'll be tuned into the
complete me in the ship,
sort of like a walkie talkie.
And I'll be able
to see what you see
and hear what you hear.
You'll still have all the
benefit of my intelligence.
- There you go.
I'm finished.
- Testing.
Testing.
I feel small.
- You with me, MUD?
- Yeah, but I'm
upside down, Mark.
Turn me over, I
can't see anything.
Ah, that's better.
Nice day isn't it.
- This is ridiculous.
- Are you trying
to get us killed?
- I'm trying to get us a ride.
Now what?
- You better give me a minute
to check back with Solo One.
Hmm.
Right.
Okay so far.
That's strange.
Wait a minute.
1400 hours.
July 13,
1985.
85.
86.
1986!
Oy vey.
Mark, Mark,
Mark, wait.
Wait, Mark.
Hey, wait.
They can't see you.
- What do you mean,
they don't see me?
It's a pretty outstanding
outfit, wouldn't you say?
- Mark, I have to tell you--
- Maybe they thought
I was a weirdo.
- Listen to me.
It's not that they
don't see you.
It's that they can't see you.
- Oh yeah, yeah,
I know the type.
Something like Ed,
their vision's pretty limited
unless it concerns themselves.
- Are you going to
listen to me or not?
- Why MUD, I do
believe you're angry.
- Oh, just be quiet and listen.
I've done a lot of thinking.
I've been tuned
into my memory bank.
Mark, that time lapse
you felt by Jupiter,
well, it wasn't
just a few seconds,
and it wasn't two days either.
It was a year, Mark.
One full year to the day.
- Nah.
- It was something up there
and we flew through it.
- What was it?
- Well, I guess you
could call it a door
in space and time.
A time warp.
It projected us into the future
and also put us in
some other world.
- What are you getting at, MUD?
- Well, we're in visible.
We're not here.
- Well, just where the hell
are we if we're not here?
- In another dimension, I think.
See, it's something like
being dead only we're not.
We're alive somewhere.
Of course this is only a theory,
but I think that's
what happened.
- Since when did computers
become theoretical?
- You made me what I am today.
- Ah.
Okay, okay.
Well, how come I'm not
sinking into the ground
if I'm not here?
- Mark, please,
stop throwing me around.
- Sorry.
- In answer to your question,
your body's molecular change
isn't too different from
what's normal on earth.
- Hey, I wonder if I
could walk through walls.
- I wouldn't advise it.
- Well, now,
if there really was
a door in space,
well how come ground control
didn't pick it up
on their screen,
'cause I mean it was in a vector
that was easy enough
for them to monitor.
- But its position was
blocked off from earth
by Jupiter's moons.
Look Mark, start
believing facts.
This door has an orbit.
It's moving away from
its present position
and it's imploding.
It's squeezing itself
out of its world,
maybe into another dimension.
Mark, in four days,
it will be too small and dense
for us to even squeeze through.
- So what do you want us to do?
- I want us to go
back to the ship.
I need time for a
complete systems check.
Then we'll fly back through
the warp before it disappears.
We have enough fuel on
board for a round trip.
- That's a pretty
big chance to take.
- Yes, and it's our only one.
Come on, let's go.
- Now hold on.
Now we have four days.
It takes one day to
check out the ship.
And it takes two
days to fly back.
That leaves us one day to spare.
I think I'd like to check
out this new dimension,
see what it's like
to be other worldly.
Oh, and I wanna go see
Ellen one more time.
At least I'll be with
her in spirit, huh.
Now wait, wait a minute.
Hold on.
Hold everything.
You had me believing this.
You really had me going here.
Look, I can feel this.
I'm here.
I'm solid.
I'm grounded.
MUDdy boy, you were shaken up
pretty bad back there, you know.
I think maybe you're not
thinking too straight,
and I don't think I am either
for believing any of
this for a minute.
You just put your tubes
to rest, MUDdy boy,
everything is
gonna be just fine.
- You have no faith.
- Opportunity knocks.
Hello, hello there.
Hi, remember me, the
fella you almost turned
into a highway
statistic back there?
No hard feelings.
Hey, allow me, here.
You know, it's unhealthy
to hold a grudge.
Hey listen, I have an idea.
Why don't we just let
bygones be bygones?
I'll make you a proposition,
how about letting
me fix your car,
and then you give
me a ride home, huh?
Fair enough?
Hello?
Hi, I'm an astronaut
and I just returned to earth.
Well, it seems I
took a wrong turn
somewhere up around Jupiter
and I'm a little bit lost.
I'd really appreciate
a ride home.
Yeah, you look for
the answer in there.
I'm sure you'll find it.
Take your time, take your time.
- Time.
- Hush, Baylem.
- Time.
- What is it with you people?
- Mark?
Look at the license plate.
- 86.
- I'm truly sorry, Mark.
Can we go back to the ship now?
- No, no, not yet.
Listen, if we fly back
through that warp,
or whatever it is,
we don't have any guarantee
we'll ever return.
I don't know if I could
ever make you understand
what love is, but I've
gotta spend my anniversary
with Ellen and Ron
just one more time.
It's been two years
since I've seen them.
- But mark, they won't
be able to see you,
or hear you.
They won't know
you're even there.
- Well, we'll cross that
bridge when we come to it.
I'm really invisible, huh.
I wonder what else I can
do with this new dimension.
Hey, maybe I have
supernatural powers.
Maybe I can just fly us home.
- Well, so much for mobility.
- Taking them away.
And the oppressed
man with his house.
Therefore with the lord,
behold against I am.
- The road to salvation.
- I declare.
- I wish she'd shut
that thing off.
- Huh?
- What'd you say?
- Nothing.
- Settle down, fella.
It's all right, settle down.
Settle down.
- Settle down.
- Don't you raise your
voice to me, Caleb.
- You're the one that's
doing all the squawking,
I ain't said a word.
- This is incredible.
Am I imagining this whole thing
or can that bird really hear me?
- I'll feed the information
into my data banks.
- Yeah, you do that.
We'll I be damned.
- Damned.
- You're profaning, Emily.
- Sex, more sex.
- Sex.
- So that's what
you want, is it?
Well then why did you marry me?
- Cut this out, Mark.
If the animal can hear you,
tell him to take us
straight to NASA.
- Are you kidding?
I haven't seen my
wife in two years.
- Where's your sense of duty?
You're forgetting priorities.
- Don't talk to me
about priorities.
I'm the one with a wife
and widow's ,
and a best friend
who's a murderer.
Hey you guys, drive, drive.
Come on, drive.
- Drive, drive.
Drive.
- Sit.
Not there.
- Perhaps I should
come back later.
- Stay.
- You certainly do
spend a lot of time
glued to your desk, Ed.
All that paperwork with
your new promotion.
It must feel very good
to be a one star General.
- What do you want, Rule?
Well?
- Well, I, I wanted to say, I,
I know what an effort
it must've been for you,
what with your grief at Captain
Devore's accident and all,
to convey to the commanders
as coherently as you did
the information you were
lucky enough to have gotten
from Wes-10 before
it's unfortunate demise
near Jupiter last year.
- Yes?
- I see a lot in people
they try to hide,
hopes, fears, joys.
At the debriefing
session last year,
I was watching your face.
I feel I know you well, Ed.
- What?
What do you know?
- How badly you wanted
to be a full general
and how well you covered it.
I had heard--
- What?
- Forgive me for what
I'm about to say.
These are not my words.
The astronomers are
retracting their theory
that a black hole
exists in our galaxy.
- Where did you hear that?
- In General Chase's confession.
- What else did he say?
- The General is very
concerned with saving face.
The taxpayers are revolting.
So they're going to
send Captain O'Keeffe
on a recovery mission to
get the Wes-10's tapes
and disprove all those rumors
that there was nothing up there.
Forgive me.
- Forgive you for what, Rule?
- I wanted your--
- What?
- I wanted your friendship.
I have just come from
the commander's offices
and I finally convinced them.
- Of what?
Of what, for god sakes, Rule?
What, what?
What?
- To send you on the
recovery mission to Jupiter.
- Oh my god.
- I reminded them
that this was your operation
and that it behooved
them to send you there
to finish what you started.
It was only fair.
And they agreed.
And, they're going to
make you a full general
if you return with the tapes.
- Oh my god.
- And it'll help
Ellen Devore also.
You'll be able to bring her
poor husband's remains back
for a decent hero's burial.
- Stop it Rule.
- You leave in two days, sir.
- No.
- Why?
- I have my reasons,
secret reasons.
- Well, I can keep
a secret, sir.
- Oh, I'm sure you can.
I'm getting married.
- Ed, how delightful.
Who's the lucky girl?
- Ellen Devore.
- Captain Devore's wife?
But, but--
- Yes, I know, my mother
doesn't think she's good enough
for me either.
- But she still loves--
- Me and always has.
She's had a horrid
shock, poor thing.
I've spent the last year
trying to lift her spirits.
I've kept it quiet too long.
We'll announce our
engagement tonight.
- But she never
mentioned this to me.
In fact, she's arranging
a seance tonight
to communicate with her
dead husband's spirit.
- I know, it's to get his
permission for our marriage.
Can you imagine
what a horrid shock it would be
to have her bridegroom
fly off to Jupiter
and maybe die
just one year after
her first husband did?
She's walking the narrow
line of sanity, Cardinal.
I don't want my death to
push her over the edge.
Would you?
- No, how could I?
I only wanted to help you.
It's too late to
call it off now.
They want those tapes
and they want you to get them.
- You can certainly
talk them out of it.
I have great faith in you.
And if you do, I'll
send you to Rome.
- To Rome?
- To have an audience
to see the Pope.
- The Pope.
- Papal elections
coming up soon.
- Pope.
- Talk to the commanders.
Go, go.
Bring us good news
tonight, ciao.
- Ron, is that other load ready?
- Coming.
Mom, and I a comfort to you?
- You're a lot more
than that, kid.
You're my best friend.
- Then can I ask a
question, friend to friend?
- Sure.
What's on your mind?
- It's just that I think
you're acting weird
about having that whatever
you call it tonight.
- Seance.
It's just for fun.
- Oh sure, I mean just last
week you were so different.
You were going to
go back to work.
I think your words
were it's time
to stop dwelling on the
past and look to the future.
- You're really laying
it on, aren't you.
- I'm sorry.
I just wish things were
the way they used to be.
- I know you do, sweetheart.
But we just have
to face the fact
that things are never gonna be
the same without your father.
Your dad was the kind of man
who took everything
that life had to offer
with open arms and a big smile.
I think that's a lesson we
both could probably learn.
- That still doesn't
explain the seance thing.
- You're right.
I haven't gone bananas, if
that's what's worrying you.
- I guess that's
what's worrying me.
- Okay.
I'll level with you.
I just have this feeling
lately that your dad isn't,
well that he's close by.
Now look, I don't believe in
ghosts or anything like that,
but I just have
this feeling that
if ever there were ever
a chance of contact,
tonight would be the night.
It's our wedding anniversary.
- Maybe if it were real,
like Ed will get grind off
the inner limits by a spirit.
- Now what's that
remark supposed to mean?
- Nothing.
It's his fault that dad's gone.
- Ron, that's not fair.
Ed's a good man at heart.
He feels responsible enough
for sending your
father on that mission
without your adding to it.
And he's done his best
to make life easier.
- For you, maybe.
Are you going to marry him?
- I don't know.
I don't know.
- You could do a
lot better than him.
You still are pretty
even if you are over 30.
- Oh thanks a lot.
I'll tell you what,
if I ever make that
kind of decision,
I promise you that
your vote will count.
And I hope if you ever
make that kind of decision,
that my vote will count.
- Sounds fair.
- Okay.
Look, I'm not asking
you to like Ed.
Just try to get to know
him a little better.
Will you do that for me,
just try a little harder?
- Okay, I'll try.
♪ Alas, my love,
♪ You do me wrong
♪ I don't know why
you treat me so ♪
- Mark, stop torturing yourself.
I'm sorry I ever
brought up the subject.
- Well, I'm gonna have
to face it some day.
You finished checking
out the ship yet?
- About halfway.
- Well, why don't you finish up.
I'm really not the best
of company right now.
- I understand.
♪ Alas, my love
♪ You do me wrong
Oh no.
Oh no.
Oh no.
Help.
Help, Mark.
Help.
Stop singing.
Help, Mark.
- What is it?
- Mark.
There's a leak in the
fuel catalyst system.
It's major Mark.
It's draining.
I can't stop it.
- All right, turn the car,
turn the car, come on.
Turn the car!
- Turn the car.
Turn the car.
Turn the car.
- Mark, it's too late to repair.
We're losing all the fuel.
- Hey, you forgot about
those spare fuel cylinders.
- No I didn't.
There's only enough
fuel in those tanks
for a one way trip to Jupiter.
- Well, I guess there's no
turning back now, is there.
- No turning back.
- Oh, it'll be okay, MUD.
Hey, this is almost home.
Hey, hey, stop the car.
Stop the car.
Come on, bird, come on,
tell them to stop the car.
Stop, stop.
- Stop.
Stop, stop, stop.
Stop.
Stop.
- I'm gonna kill you.
I'm gonna kill it.
It's possessed by demons, Emily.
I'm gonna kill it.
I'm gonna kill it.
I'm gonna kill it.
- Ellen, why don't you
let me buy you a dryer.
It's more civilized.
- I rather enjoy this.
- To the lady of my
dreams, to celebrate.
- Celebrate?
- I'll tell you about it
later when we're alone.
Hey, kiddo, why the long face?
Come on pooch, fetch.
Come on boy, go get it.
Come on, fetch.
Ellen, I've never
seen that mutt move.
That animal needs a dog shrink.
- Elmer's a good dog.
He just hasn't
been himself since,
Mark and he were very close.
- It's the same with our bird.
Dad taught him to
talk and do tricks,
but he hasn't let out a
peep since dad's been gone.
- Well, maybe the
dog needs vitamins.
Ellen, I wanna talk to you.
Ellen, I don't want you
to hold this silly seance.
It's not like you, Ellen.
It's a sucker for some
kinda phony hooks.
It isn't healthy.
- You sound like Ron.
- Ellen, I'm serious.
I want you to cancel it.
- I'm serious too, Ed.
I need to go through with this
and neither you nor Ron are
gonna talk me out of it.
When it's over,
well then we can talk
about what changes I'm
gonna make with my life.
But neither of you are
gonna talk me out of it
and that's that.
- Well, if you're
that determined, okay.
But I have some
good news for you.
Something that's gonna effect
your life and mine too.
And it won't take a seance
to understand it, baby.
- Oh?
Well, what news?
- I'll tell you about
it after dinner.
Could I help you with that?
- That's okay.
- Nonsense, nonsense.
- Now what did I tell you?
Let's go inside.
I'll make dinner.
- Let's go inside,
she'll get dinner.
- Ron, it's Buddy's bedtime.
Put him in your room while
I get the dessert, okay.
- Okay.
Buddy?
Where are you?
- The bird should've been in
the kitchen during dinner.
Birds shouldn't be around food.
Birds carry lice, all
kinds of diseases.
- I've told you before, Ed.
Buddy is a member of my family.
- You know, Buddy,
you just aren't fun anymore.
You never talk or play.
Buddy used to throw a tantrum
when it was his bedtime.
Dad taught him.
Buddy, it's bedtime.
But I don't wanna go to bed.
I don't wanna.
I don't wanna.
Like that.
Remember, mom?
- Yeah.
And then he'd come
up and he'd say,
oh, all right.
And then he'd bring him
over to me and he'd say,
give us a kiss sweetheart.
Give us a kiss sweetheart.
- Elmer, how you doing Elmer?
Elmer.
MUD, he can hear me.
Oh MUD, I sure have a way
with animals, don't I.
Now sit, Elmer, sit.
Elmer, up.
Up.
Lie down.
Elmer, this is fantastic.
MUD.
- It sounds like,
nah, it couldn't be.
Elmer.
Elmer.
Mom.
Elmer.
Elmer, come on.
Elmer.
Elmer.
- Oh Ron.
- Elmer.
- Ellen.
- Let's go inside, sweetheart.
- Ole Rover finally joined
the land of the living, huh.
Ellen, stop looking so glum.
Tonight's going to be a night
filled with wondrous surprises,
more wondrous than
rover's call of the wild.
- Sweetheart, clear the
dessert dishes, will you?
When you're done.
I wonder what happened
to Cardinal Rule.
I can't start the
seance without him.
- A seance, you're
having a seance?
- Ellen, you can't avoid this
confrontation any longer.
- Ed, let's not talk
about it tonight, okay.
- Not talk about it Ellen,
it's the most important
conversation I can imagine.
- Except for talking
about yourself, jerk.
- Ellen, I adore you.
I've always meant to have you.
Ellen, every event that's
lead to this moment
was pre-destined.
You were created to
be worshiped by me.
- Ed, please.
- Ellen, let me take
you away from this life.
Ellen, you're not
meant to be here.
- Hey, what's so
wrong with this life?
She likes it.
I like it.
- Ellen, marry me.
I was Mark's best friend.
He would've wanted it that way.
- Oh no.
Oh no I wouldn't.
You're not falling for any
of this, are you Ellen?
You're gonna pay
for this, Westin.
- Ellen, Mark is dead.
He's never gonna walk
through that door again.
- I know what you're
saying is true.
I just can't let him go.
I can't believe I'll
never see him again.
I know you've been good to us.
Oh, I don't know what to say.
- Say yes.
- No.
- I got it.
- You keep out of this.
Oh god, what am I gonna do now.
- Look Mark, there's
a bird in this house.
I picked it up on my scanner.
- Buddy.
- Right.
We can get Buddy to communicate.
- You're right.
- I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'm late.
I know, but, congratulations.
- What for?
- Hello, congratulations.
May I?
- Please.
- Ellen, would you
go out to my car?
There's another lovely
bottle of wine there.
I think our friend here
could use a little refresher.
- Certainly.
- Did you talk to the
commanding general?
- I didn't.
I couldn't.
My conscious wouldn't allow it.
- Your what?
You're praddling,
you're drinking.
- Oh, I am not.
As a friend, and
as a psychologist,
I couldn't allow you to
be so unjust to yourself.
This time, you're gonna
get what you deserve.
- But--
- The commanders are making
a formal announcement
to the press right
at this moment.
- Me?
Fly to Jupiter.
- You're going to Jupiter?
- Me, alone in space.
- Don't worry.
God will be your copilot.
- I can't.
I can't.
- What, no pioneer spirit?
- Just keep your sight
on those tapes, Ed.
And all they'll mean
to you when you return.
- But there's nothing
on those tapes.
Ellen, Ellen.
The cardinal has just brought
us the most wonderful news.
I'm going to fly to
Jupiter all by myself.
The Solo Two space probe
where I will locate
Mark's remains
and see that they get the
treatment they deserve.
- Mark, a ship,
did you hear that?
He's got a ship!
- So.
- So dummy, don't you
see the possibilities?
- Then I'm coming back.
I'm going to quit the Air Force.
I'm going to retire
and we'll get married
and we'll move to South
America, my darling.
- Isn't anybody gonna get that?
- I'll get it.
- Who are you?
- What are you?
- Mrs. Chesere.
- Oh, Mrs. Chesere.
- Oh, what a lovely house.
We should begin immediately.
Ah, this table will be fine.
Now I want you all to be seated.
- You're expecting someone else?
- She should know.
- This is really very
unorthodox of me.
- Silence please.
All hold hands.
Close your eyes.
In the beginning, man is not.
Then he is.
Then again, he is not.
But his spirit is
forever living,
unfounded by time.
Mark Devore, we
wish you welcome.
We bring you no harm.
We are your channels,
your instruments of contact.
We are preparing our unconscious
minds to be your servants.
Speak to us.
Speak through us.
His spirit is flying
through space,
leaving the cold
unrest of Jupiter
for the warm comfort of home.
You have left many who love you.
Their lives are
troubled without you.
Come to us, Mark.
Come to us.
- How much are you
paying for this?
- Shh.
Give us a sign of your presence.
Answer us, Mark.
Give us a sign.
Are you there?
Oh, are you there?
Are you there?
Are you there?
Are you there?
- You called?
Here I am.
I am resurrected.
- This is a rotten
trick, you little twerp.
- Going to Jupiter, Ed.
Remember me.
- Kid, I didn't know you
were a ventriloquist,
but I'm warning you to
shut your trap this minute.
I'm warning you.
- Buddy?
Mark?
- Give me a kiss, sweetheart.
I don't wanna go to bed.
I don't wanna go.
I don't wanna go.
Mother.
No black hole, Eddie.
Nothing on the tape.
- You're not Mark.
This is a trick.
It's your idea of some
lousy kind of a joke.
- I ain't got no body--
- You're a sick woman, sick.
You're no better than your
lousy, rotten husband.
Our marriage is off.
- Ed.
- Don't beg.
- Get me a twinkie
while you're out.
- So long Eddie.
See you around.
Don't hurry back.
Nice work, Buddy.
- Mark?
Is it you?
- Dad?
- Did anything happen?
- Oh.
No, not really.
Our bird just got loose
and it scared our friends.
So they left.
That's all.
- Well, it doesn't always
work the first time.
We'll try it again.
Oh, it's late, I must go.
The bill is $35.
You can mail me a check.
Goodbye dears.
- Dad, is it really you?
Tell us what happened, dad.
- Happy anniversary.
- Mark, you took
a terrible risk.
You should have
gone back to Jupiter
as soon as MUD told to.
- I had to see you again.
- Darling.
- Buddy tired.
- Ron, put Buddy to bed.
Poor thing's exhausted.
- But I don't wanna go to bed.
But I don't wanna go to bed.
I don't wanna go.
But I don't wanna go to bed.
- Where are you, Mark?
- I'm right here.
- Good night.
I love you.
- Spoilsport.
- Mark, I'm not a voyeur.
Now let's get back to business.
- Oh, I don't know, MUD.
The Solo Two doesn't leave
for another two days.
And by the time we
get to the warp,
it'll be too late.
At least those were
your calculations.
- I might be wrong.
- You might also be right.
- Do you wanna abandon the plan?
- No.
- All right, then
let's continue.
This is the most important part.
Even if we can get
to the Solo Two
and be on it when it's launched,
there's still two
very risky obstacles.
- All right, let's have them.
- One, the Solo Two will
have to have been built
a full year ago.
- That's right.
If it's any newer,
when we fly through the warp,
the ship might disappear.
- Yes, it wouldn't
have existed then.
And we've gotta get exact data
on when the ship was built.
- I'll get Ellen to check
on that in the morning.
- Mark, I said there
were two problems.
The second one is fuel.
Even if the ship is a year old,
the fuel in it won't be.
It can't be stored
for that long.
So when, if we
come back to 1985,
we'll be without power
to get us back to earth.
- The fuel cylinders.
Ellen will drive
us to the Solo One
and I'll pick up
the extra tanks.
And we can hook them
up in the Solo Two
right after we go
through the warp.
That'll give us
plenty to get home.
- Good thinking.
So it's all settled then.
Let's get some rest.
- Yes.
No.
There's a third problem.
- What?
- What about you?
What'll happen to you when
we fly through the warp?
Your main components
are in the Solo One,
and there's too much of you
to move to the other ship.
And besides, I don't have
skill to reassemble you.
You'd be a vegetable.
And I'm not going
without you, MUD.
What's so funny?
- Mark, it's so simple.
When you pick up the cylinders,
we'll also pick up my
hydro laser crystal.
- Your what?
- My crystal, my key, my heart,
my soul, whatever
you wanna call it.
- Now wait a minute.
I never heard of any
hydro laser crystal.
- Well you wouldn't.
The crystal is what makes me
the most advanced
computer in existence.
It's what separates the
men from the boys, kid.
- MUD, are you
telling me the truth?
- Mark, when it
comes to survival,
I'm the most honest
machine you've met.
Of course, you realize
the biggest problem.
- Which is?
- There's no guarantee
we'll come back at all.
- Okay, okay, let me be
sure I got it straight.
You want me to call Ed and
tell him that I'll marry him.
- Yuck.
- Then I get him to tell me
when the launching
is gonna take place
and when the Solo Two was built?
- Got it.
- Then I talk him
into letting me
go to the launching station
and I take you and
MUD to the Solo Two.
Is that it?
- I think you forgot,
the fuel and MUD's laser.
- Oh, of course.
First I take you and
MUD to the Solo One.
You'll come with us, won't
you, Buddy, I mean Mark?
- Mom, he can't.
Buddy gets carsick.
He'll throw up.
Hey, we'll take Elmer.
Dad can have him
bark the directions.
Once for left, twice for right.
Three times for
straight ahead, okay?
- Okay.
- Okay.
Here it goes.
I'd do better without
an audience, you guys.
Hello, Ed,
oh please don't hang up, please.
I have to talk to you, please.
It was a nightmare for
me too, my darling.
I just never knew
that Ron was so, so,
you're right, he
should be punished.
He is being punished right now.
He's in his room right this
minute as a matter of fact.
I've grounded him for a month.
All right, my dear,
if you think I should
be more severe with him,
I certainly will be.
A special school?
Well, we'll talk about it.
- Some father he'd make.
- Ed, darling,
you left last night before
I could give you my answer.
It's yes.
I have thoughts about you
you wouldn't dream of.
All right, my dear,
if you think a
psychiatrist would help me.
Whatever you say dear.
Yes, let's get
married right away.
Oh Ed, I'm so proud of you
being chosen for this mission.
But darling, is it a safe ship?
Hold old is it?
Six, eight months?
Is it over a year old?
You wanna know why I'm asking?
I just, well, I,
I thought that some of the
older ships were safer.
I worry.
I'm in love.
Love means worry.
You'll let me know tomorrow.
Oh, that would certainly
reassure me, my dear.
Now you must be very busy, Ed.
When do you launch?
Of course I'll see
you before you go.
I love you best too.
Bye.
Let's go before I get carsick.
- Watch those curves
next time, Ellen.
- Well how do we know if
Dad's still back there.
- Elmer would've
barked or something.
- Really?
- Where is Elmer?
- What if we left him behind?
- Don't be such a pessimist.
Mark?
Mark?
- Come on, let's
go inside fella.
- Mark?
Mark?
- Speak.
- Oh good, good, you're here.
Well what now?
What are we gonna do now?
What?
I didn't get that.
What?
- I said relax for
a while and wait.
Relax and wait.
- Buddy?
Talk you dumb bird, talk.
- Mark, he has laryngitis,
what are we gonna do now?
Maybe if I just concentrate.
- Ellen, don't get so upset.
Look at me, don't get so upset.
I don't know what I could do.
- Hello?
What?
What?
I can't hear you.
What?
Oh, oh Ed.
What's that noise?
Oh, it's just Elmer
acting up again.
Quiet.
Ed, darling,
you're leaving tonight?
Oh no, you can't.
- Tonight!
That's wonderful.
Don't try to talk
him out of it, Ellen.
Oh, oh Ed, sweetheart,
you can't leave tonight.
I mean we haven't
said our goodbyes
in a proper manner.
You know what I mean.
- I think he should
go tonight, don't you?
- Yes, speak.
- Was that a yes or a no?
- Speak.
- Do we continue with the plan
and take you to the ship today?
- Speak.
- Should mom say
goodbye to uncle Ed?
- Yes.
- He wants to come
over here, right now
to say his goodbyes.
- Ellen, you were
too convincing.
- That means no, mom.
We've gotta get dad
out to the ship.
- Get yourself out
of this one, girl.
Ed, sorry,
darling, I've changed my mind.
Oh, not about us, sweetheart.
Where could be exciting.
Well, what do you
mean it's not proper?
We're two consenting adults.
What about your ship?
What do you mean
it's not protocol?
Whatever you say sweetheart.
You want protocol or play?
I'll get into something
more comfortable.
I'll see you in an hour.
- I won't remember any of
this a year ago, will I?
- No, son.
- It'll be as if
this never happened,
like a dream you can't remember.
I'll be who I was in 1985
and mom will be who she was,
and uncle Ed will
be the same bad guy,
and you wouldn't have died
or been missing or anything,
and you won't even know it.
But even if I don't remember,
this did happen, didn't it?
Didn't it?
This is real, isn't it mom?
- Yes, Ron, it is real.
- So what I wanna say, Dad,
when I'm living in 1985 again,
and I'm younger,
I might not tell you too much,
but I love you 'cause
I won't know then
how much more I love you know.
And you won't either.
- Yes I will, Ron, yes I will.
- Anyway, I just wanted
you to know that.
Come on.
Come on.
- Ellen, you came.
Wait, Ellen, the
kid and the dog,
you know they're not allowed.
I cleared it this time,
but it's not for an adult.
It violates base security.
- I just got carried away.
- Oh Ellen.
You're right,
Ellen, you're right.
The element of danger
does heighten the moment.
- Goodbye, Ellen.
I love you.
- Ed, Ed, please.
- I care so much.
- Ed, Ed, Ed, Ed.
Ed, please,
please, someone may come in, Ed.
Take it off.
Take it off.
Take it off.
- Get it off.
Is there more zippers.
- Down.
Take it off.
- Oh sorry.
- It's almost time.
- 49.
48, 47.
- You gotta leave.
- Go on, go on,
get away from me.
- Don't leave.
- What's the kid doing?
He's biting my leg.
- I don't want you to go.
- find out there's
nothing on those tapes.
- Oh, that was some
confession, Private Westin.
Goodbye, Mark.
I love you.
- Dad, I'll remember, you won.
- 37.
36.
35.
34.
33.
32.
30 and counting.
28.
27.
26.
25.
24.
23.
22.
21.
20.
19.
18.
17.
16.
15.
14.
13.
12.
- Well, MUD,
this is it.
- 10.
- No turning back now.
- Eight.
- Pray god, this
ship is a year old.
- Amen.
- Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
We have liftoff.
- You scared, Mark?
- You're damn right I'm scared.
- It's up ahead.
Hold on, Mark, hold on.
- Are you okay?
Is your crystal in
place and everything?
Did I do that right?
- Don't worry about me.
Here we go.
- Okay.
Here we go.
- Mark, I'm not going
to make it through.
- Yes you are.
You can make it.
You've got your crystal.
- Mark, there isn't
any such thing
as a hydro laser crystal.
My data banks, all my circuits,
they're still grounded back
on the other ship in 1986.
You assembled this Wes-10
pocked edition in 1986.
When you come back in 1985,
I'm not going to be.
- MUD.
- So I lied, so
what else is new.
The universe is a
funny place, Mark.
Who knows, we might meet again.
- No.
- Remember, I'm alive somewhere.
Mark.
Mark.
I'm going.
- No.
- You're the best
friend I've ever had.
- No, MUD, you can make it.
I know you can.
You've got to make it, MUD.
See.
See, I told you.
Oh MUD.
MUD.
- Solo One, this is Zeta 158,
do you read?
Can you hear us, Captain Devore?
We're tracking you
with radar, captain.
Please respond.
- I made it.
I made it, MUD.
I'm going home.
Thanks for everything.
- We lost contact
with you two days.
Please answer us, captain.
Are you all right, sir?
Wes-10, this is ground control.
Respond.