19 Nocturne Boulevard - The Leech - Reissue
Adapted by Julie Hoverson from a story by
Phillips Barbee (pseudonym of Robert Sheckley)
Published in Galaxy Science Fiction, December 1952
\xa0
Classic era science fiction about a very odd visitor from outer space.
\xa0
Cast List
Professor Michaels - Grant Baciocco (Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd)
Frank Connors - Bryan Hendrickson
Mrs. Jones - Kimberly Poole (Warp'd Space)
Sheriff Flynn - Glen Hallstrom
General O'Donnell - Chuck Burke
Allenson, scientist - Cary Ayers
Moriarty, physicist - Eleiece Krawiec
Brigadier-General - H. Keith Lyons
Driver - Cary Ayers
Soldier1 - John Carroll
Soldier2 - Lothar Tuppan
Pilot - Mark Olson
The Leech - Suzanne Dunn, Will Watt, James Sedgwick, Julie Hoverson
Many thanks to Project Gutenberg and Librivox for curating these classic stories.
[Link to The Leech in short sci fi collection 24 at Librivox]
Music by\xa0 misterscott99
[Thanx to Steve Guy for suggesting searching YouTube for a Theramin artist!!]
Editing and Sound:\xa0\xa0 Julie Hoverson
Cover Design:\xa0 Brett Coulstock
\xa0
"What kind of a place is it?
Why it's a cabin in upstate New York, can't you tell?"
************************************************
The Leech
By Phillips Barbee (Robert Sheckley), Galaxy Science Fiction December 1952
Cast:
[Opening credits - Olivia]
The Leech
Frank Connors, assistant
Professor Michaels, anthropologist
Mrs. Jones, housekeeper
Sheriff Flynn / Jerry
General O'Donnell / driver
Allenson, scientist
Moriarty, atomic physicist
[bring in the leech voice, subtle, under the opening credits]
LEECH A
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 hungry.\xa0 Empty.\xa0 hungry.\xa0 Empty. hungry.\xa0 hungry.\xa0 Empty [repeats under]
OLIVIA \xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0Did you have any trouble finding it?\xa0 What do you mean, what kind of a place is it?\xa0 Why, it's a professor's rural retreat, circa 1952, can't you tell?\xa0
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 falling falling falling heat impact FOOD!\xa0 ...eat.
MUSIC STING
\xa0
1_BIG NEWS
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 OUTDOORS, BREEZE, CREAK OF HAMMOCK
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 [OFF A BIT]\xa0 KNOCK ON DOOR, SCREEN DOOR OPENS
MRS. JONES\xa0\xa0\xa0 What?
FRANK \xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0Where's the prof?\xa0 I have to talk to him!
MRS. JONES\xa0\xa0\xa0 You can give me his mail, young man.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 But this is big news!
MRS. JONES\xa0\xa0\xa0 If it's school business--
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's not!
MRS. JONES\xa0\xa0\xa0 It can still wait.\xa0 This is Professor Michaels' resting week, and you know it.\xa0
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 SCREEN DOOR SLAMS
MRS. JONES\xa0\xa0\xa0 [fading out] Bad enough those army convoys have to drive by at all hours of the day and night.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Wait!\xa0 Oh, heck.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 A COUPLE OF STEPS ON WOOD
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [sigh] [calling]\xa0 Conners?\xa0 What the devil are you on about?
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 FOOTSTEPS ON GRAVEL
FRANK \xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0Oh!\xa0 Professor!\xa0 Say - I'm awfully sorry to disturb you, but there's something damn funny out in the ditch.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Ditch?
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DOOR OPENS
MRS. JONES\xa0\xa0\xa0 Oh, you!\xa0 I told him to go, professor!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's all right, Mrs. Jones.\xa0 I'll handle this.
MRS. JONES\xa0\xa0\xa0 Dinner in half an hour!\xa0 You know how you get when you don't eat.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DOOR SHUTS
FRANK \xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0So, the ditch.\xa0 Didja hear me?\xa0 There's something weird.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Of course I heard you.\xa0 [sigh]\xa0 You found a pixie.\xa0 Feed him some milk, and go away.
FRANK \xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0No sir, I think it's a... a rock.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 A rock.\xa0 In the road.\xa0 How quaint.\xa0
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 But sir--
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [annoyed, but languid]\xa0 What is your job, Frank?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Sir?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 If you don't know, then perhaps I should hire someone else.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 I'm to keep everyone off you while you relax.\xa0 See to the mail, the shopping.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 And does any of that involve spotting "rocks"?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 No.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Warning me of rocks?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 No.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Protecting me from rocks?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 No, but--
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 So move the rock and get on with your--
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 But sir, I tried!\xa0 See?
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 SHOVEL MOVEMENT
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [sigh] what?\xa0 [sharper] What?
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DOOR SLAMS OPEN
MRS. JONES\xa0\xa0\xa0 What on god's green earth did you do to my shovel, young man?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 I didn't do anything.\xa0 The rock thing did!
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH B
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 [UNDER] FEET ON GRAVEL
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 food dull food warm light FOOD cold dark food slow food sloooooow...
MUSIC
\xa0
2_THE LEECH
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 OUTDOORS
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 WALKING QUICKLY
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 [a bit breathless] I really wouldn't have bothered you for just nothing, but look!
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DOINK ON METAL
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Two inches!\xa0 It melted two inches right off!
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 FEET HALT
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [incredulous] That?\xa0
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 That!\xa0 You can see it better from up close.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Shh!\xa0
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 SLOWER FOOTSTEPS
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [whispered] Do you hear anything?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 [whispered] No.\xa0 I mean, not beyond birds and things.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [grim] Neither do I.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 So?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [brighter]\xa0 Well, it's indicative of something, isn't it?
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 BRISKER FOOTSTEPS
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 You have a notebook on you?\xa0
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 No.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Anything to write on?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Uh, no.\xa0 Just - just your mail.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Here.\xa0
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 SHUFFLE ENVELOPES
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 No... no... no... Ah.\xa0 Here.\xa0 They won't notice if I don't respond.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 SLAPS PAPER INTO HAND
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Okay.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 We have what appears to be a round item of a stone-like appearance.\xa0 Greyish-black and striated.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 JUGGLE SHOVEL, WRITING NOISES
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Gotcha.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [dictating] Sitting in the ditch.\xa0 Nearest edge, say, three feet off the road.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's a bit farther than that, isn't it?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I wouldn't say so.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 [acquiescing] Okay.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 About the size of a truck tire.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 No, really now, I think you have your proportions mixed up...
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 WALKS FORWARD
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 [dismayed] Oh.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 What?\xa0 Think I'm getting senile or something?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 No, just...
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 "Just" is not quantifiable.\xa0 Just spit it out.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 It was smaller.\xa0 Before.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 How much smaller?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 I dunno - an inch maybe.\xa0 But definitely smaller.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Find me a stick.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 A... stick?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Here. [give me that]
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 TAKES SHOVEL
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Don't touch it!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I'm not planning to.\xa0 Not yet.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 A COUPLE OF STEPS, DRAGGING SOUND
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 As you observe, I am drawing a line approximately three inches beyond the edge of the thing.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 [noting] Three inches.\xa0 Got it.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Now, we'll have something to measure by in case it grows again.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Right.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Now.\xa0 Let's see what happens.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 METAL ON STONE - SORT OF
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 SIZZLING NOISE
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's not unyielding - the shovel seems to sink in--
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Oh no it's not!
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 SCRAPE
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 What?\xa0 Aha!\xa0 You're right.\xa0 It's not sinking in, it's being melted away.\xa0 Gives the same impression.\xa0 Odd how the mind interprets things....
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 I think it just got bigger.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Really?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 I was watching, and I think it swelled a little.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Could be heat waves.\xa0 I suspect something like this would reflect like asphalt.\xa0 But let's test it.\xa0 The shovel's not good for much any more anyway.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 METAL ON STONE GRATE, SIZZLING
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Don't touch it!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 My hand is nowhere near touching it.\xa0 I merely want to see...
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Look!\xa0 It's getting larger!\xa0 I can see it!
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 WOOD ON STONE
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [impressed] Well!\xa0 [clinical] But it generates no appreciable heat.\xa0 Odd.\xa0 I would assume some sort of acidic chemical reaction, which would almost invariably generate heat.\xa0
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 And it grew!\xa0 Just a fraction of an inch--
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I was paying attention to other things.\xa0 [sigh]
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 WOOD LANDS ON STONE, SIZZLING
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 D'you see it swelling?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I doubt there was enough left of that handle to do much.\xa0 What else--?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Rocks?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Sound thinking.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 PICK UP SOME ROCKS, DROP THEM, SIZZLE
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Isn't that just about the damnedest thing you ever saw, Professor?\xa0 What do you think it is?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's no stone...\xa0 I'm going to phone the college and ask a physics man about it.\xa0 Or a biologist. I'd like to get rid of that thing before it spoils my lawn.
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH C
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 food sharp food fall food lie food move moist food dry food grow food air grow bigger grow.... wake!
MUSIC
\xa0
3_BACON
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 IN PROF'S HOUSE
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DISTANT POUNDING ON DOOR
MRS. JONES\xa0\xa0\xa0 What is it?\xa0
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 BUSTLING THROUGH HOUSE
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DOOR YANKED OPEN
MRS. JONES\xa0\xa0\xa0 You better have a brilliant explanation for this--
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Absolutely vital.\xa0 Professor Michaels knows\u2011\u2011
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I'm coming.\xa0 It had better be particularly important to drag me away from Mrs. Jones' bacon.
MRS. JONES\xa0\xa0\xa0 [amused annoyance] And Mrs. Jones better leave you boys to your business and see to her bacon before it all burns away.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 BUSTLES OFF
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's nearly eighteen feet across!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 The thing?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Yup!\xa0
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I was trying some acids on it yesterday, and nothing seemed to even ruffle it.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 None of them?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Nope.\xa0 I'll finagle a bacon sandwich or two and we'll head out presently.
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH D
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 so small.\xa0 how is one so small.\xa0 one was large.\xa0 one was grand.\xa0 Miniscule now.\xa0 Hungry.\xa0 sooooo hungry.\xa0 food is slow. Dull.\xa0 Eat...
MUSIC
\xa0
4_SHERIFF
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 OUTDOORS, AT THE SITE
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 See what I mean?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Seems the larger it gets, the faster it grows.\xa0 Not surprising, if what I suspect is happening is true.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 What's that?\xa0
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Say it absorbs whatever it touches. \xa0The more surface area, the more it can touch, the more it can absorb.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 That's not good.\xa0 It's like some kind of... of leech.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I don't know that I would characterize it so narrowly just yet, Frank--
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 CAR DRIVES UP, STOPS
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Morning Sheriff!
SHERIFF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Morning.\xa0 What the devil is this?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Don't know.\xa0 Just showed up.
SHERIFF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Ha. Ha.\xa0 We gotta get it out of the road!\xa0 Something like this, you can't let it block the road.\xa0 The Army's gotta use this road.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 We didn't--
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Shh.\xa0 [up, dry] Terribly sorry.\xa0 Go right ahead and move it, Sheriff. But be careful. It's hot.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 [quiet] Hot?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [quiet] Close enough.
SHERIFF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Should just be able to--
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 OPENS TRUNK
SHERIFF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Where is the--?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 [quiet] Shouldn't we warn him?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [quiet] We'll stop him if he goes to touch it.\xa0 But if he doesn't see for himself, he'll never buy it.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Oh.
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH E
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 [UNDER] METAL HITTING STONE, GUNSHOTS
SHERIFF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [frustrated noise]
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 slow food.\xa0 fast!\xa0 energy impact.\xa0 ahhhhhh.\xa0 more.\xa0\xa0 more hit.\xa0 more energy.\xa0 give!
MUSIC
\xa0
5_MONKEY'S UNCLE
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 OUTDOORS, AT THE SITE
SHERIFF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [quiet] That would make deputy Jerry, there, "cheetah".\xa0\xa0
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 [snickers]
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Ready to listen yet, sheriff?
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 ARMY CONVOY APPROACHING
SHERIFF\xa0\xa0\xa0 What?\xa0 Hey look!\xa0 NOW we'll get some action!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [quiet] That's rather what I'm afraid of.
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH F
SOUND \xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0[UNDER] \xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0CONVOY STOPS, IDLES, DOORS OPEN, ETC.
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 more energy.\xa0 more food.\xa0 need.\xa0 senses very dim.\xa0 Thoughts very dim.\xa0 grow.\xa0 waken more.\xa0 food.
MUSIC
\xa0
6_ARMY
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 OUTDOORS, AT THE SITE
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 You can't block this road.\xa0 Clear that away.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Sorry.\xa0 It's not ours.\xa0 And we can't seem to do anything with it.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 What in sam hill is it?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 A leech.
SHERIFF\xa0\xa0\xa0 A what?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [annoyed but covering] Simply a name to refer to it by - we have no real idea what it is.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 But you've tried moving it?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Every way we could think of.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Crowbar?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Didn't help.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Blowtorch?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 More or less.\xa0 No effect.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Gunshot?
SHERIFF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Sad to say...
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [calling orders] Driver?\xa0 Ride over that thing.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 But sir!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Shh.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 JEEP STARTS INTO GEAR
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 [to prof] We have to stop him!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 You thought the sheriff was bad, having to see it first?\xa0 This is the military.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Oh.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 JEEP ROLLS FORWARD SLOWLY, TAKES A BUMP, THEN HALTS, SIZZLING SNEAKS IN, UNDER.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [bellowing] I didn't tell you to stop!
DRIVER\xa0\xa0\xa0 I didn't stop it, sir!
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Get moving!
DRIVER\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's stalled out sir!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 General?\xa0 Pardon me, but if you look closely, you'll see that the tires are melting down.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 POP, HISS OF TIRE
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Yikes!
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Criminee!\xa0 [orders] Driver!\xa0 Jump clear!\xa0 Don't touch any of that grey stuff!
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH G
SOUND \xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0[UNDER] DRIVER CLIMBS ONTO HOOD OF CAR AND JUMPS
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 large food.\xa0 energy.\xa0 much movement.\xa0 nice.\xa0 hungry.\xa0 more large?\xa0 Need food.\xa0 waking waking... more self, more hungry.\xa0 need food
MUSIC
\xa0
7_JEEP
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 OUTDOORS, AT THE SITE
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 CAR SLOWLY SINKING INTO THE THING, MUCH SIZZLING
DRIVER\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's up to the chassis already!
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 How fast can it eat?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [quiet] you are keeping track aren't you?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Sure thing, professor!\xa0 It's been about three minutes, give or take a few.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Make a note - Frank needs a stopwatch.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Oh.\xa0 Ok.\xa0 Right.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 SCRIBBLING
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 You called this thing a leech, professor?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 As I said, it is nothing but a name to refer to it by.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 But it is leeching, far as I can tell - eating anything that gets near it.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Which bodes rather ill for the underside.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Whazzat?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 You're only thinking about things that get near it on the top - who knows how far below this thing may have eaten away the dirt, or even the bedrock.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Dirt and stones do seem to digest a bit slower.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 You've been experimenting with it, eh?\xa0 Did you by any chance MAKE this thing with one of your experiments, professor?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [sigh]\xa0 First, general, I am not that type of scientist.\xa0 I am a professor of anthropology.\xa0 I do, however, understand scientific method and felt that if we established some parameters up front, such as rate of growth, speed of dissolution, etc., we might be able to more easily convince some of my hard science colleagues to come and have a look.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [after a pause] So you say.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 MARCHES OFF
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 You did that on purpose, didn't you?\xa0
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [over innocent] did what?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Oh, no - don't play innocent!\xa0 I've seen you lecture someone til their eyes glazed over, before this!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [chuckle]
DRIVER\xa0\xa0\xa0 [background]\xa0 There goes the aerial!
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 SIZZLING OUT
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [commands, off] You!\xa0
DRIVER\xa0\xa0\xa0 Sir!\xa0 Yes sir!
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [commands, off] Go back and have some men bring up hand grenades and dynamite!
DRIVER\xa0\xa0\xa0 Yes sir!
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 That will get it!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I am not so sure.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [from off, yelling to prof] I don't know what you've got here, but it's not going to stop a U.S. Army convoy!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I pray he's right.
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH H
SOUND UNDER\xa0\xa0\xa0 EXPLOSIONS - HAND GRENADES AND DYNAMITE
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 waking more.\xa0 thinking more.\xa0 sensing more.\xa0 hungry. [boom] food! \xa0yes yes food! [boom]\xa0 Ahhhhh eat and grow.\xa0 [bullets] mass and movement.\xa0 energy.\xa0 more.\xa0 yes.\xa0 please!\xa0 [huge explosion]\xa0 yesssssss!
MUSIC
\xa0
8_EVACUATE
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 OUTDOORS, NEAR PROF'S HOUSE
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 WOOD CRACKING THROUGHOUT UNDER
MRS. JONES\xa0\xa0\xa0 Well, I never.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Did you get everything moved out all right?
MRS. JONES\xa0\xa0\xa0 Well, yes, but I've cooked for you in that very house for nearly ten years now.\xa0 Where am I supposed to feel at home?\xa0 Where are you? [supposed to feel at home]
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [muttered] That may not be a problem for long.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 HUGE CRACK, SHATTER OF GLASS
MRS. JONES\xa0\xa0\xa0 There goes the front porch!\xa0 Who would have thought such a terrible thing could spread so darn far?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 The government surely didn't.
MRS. JONES\xa0\xa0\xa0 It looks like one of them - what's the word?\xa0 Blasted heath.\xa0 Yes.\xa0 That's exactly what a blasted heath would look like.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [musing] Or a cooled lava flow.\xa0 [snapping out] Either way, it's pretty darn blasted.
MRS. JONES\xa0\xa0\xa0 Blasted leech.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 FEET ARRIVING
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I do wish people would stop calling it that.
SOLDIER\xa0\xa0\xa0 Pardon me, sir?\xa0 General O'Donnell would like to see you at the command post.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Right.\xa0 I already know the end to this little melodrama.\xa0 [to soldier] See to it Mrs. Jones gets back to the city, will you?
SOLDIER\xa0\xa0\xa0 Sir, I'm supposed to escort you--
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 But I know where I'm going.\xa0 She does not.
SOLDIER\xa0\xa0\xa0 Yes, sir!
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH I
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 CRUSHING HOUSE UNDER
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 slow food.\xa0 want fast food.\xa0 more awake now.\xa0 why no more fast come.\xa0 good energy.\xa0 big food.\xa0 hungry.\xa0 more food make more pieces.\xa0 more pieces make more hungry.\xa0 more hungry wants more food.\xa0
MUSIC
\xa0
9_PERIMETER
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 OUTDOORS, AT THE EDGE OF THE LARGER SITE
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 CROWD NOISE, FADING IN
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 What's that over there?
SOLDIER2\xa0\xa0\xa0 Perimeter.\xa0 Barbed wire.\xa0 Half mile out.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I doubt the barbed wire is making all that noise.
SOLDIER2\xa0\xa0\xa0 Oh, them.\xa0 Reporters.\xa0 Rubberneckers.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 [calling from off] Professor!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Assistants.
SOLDIER2\xa0\xa0\xa0 You need assistance?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Just my assistant.\xa0 Let him in would you?
SOLDIER2\xa0\xa0\xa0 I don't have any orders--
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Well, he takes all my notes, so I guess I'll have to stay within earshot.\xa0 Which ends about here.
SOLDIER2\xa0\xa0\xa0 But the general--
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Will it be easier to move the general, or my assistant, do you think?
SOLDIER2\xa0\xa0\xa0 Um...
MUSIC
\xa0
10_HQ
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 INSIDE HEADQUARTERS TENT
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 TENT FLAP SWOOP, PROF AND FRANK ENTER TENT
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 I've been put in charge of operation leech.\xa0 Ah, professor... and...?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 My assistant.\xa0 He is also the one who found this thing in the first place.\xa0 Absolutely indispensable.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Hi.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Is he trustworthy?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Think of him as my right arm.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 The one he writes with.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 You're a professor, right?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Yes. Anthropology.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Good.\xa0 I'd like you to stay around in an advisory capacity.\xa0 I'd appreciate your observations on the... enemy.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I think this is more in the line of a physicist or a biochemist.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 I don't want this place cluttered up with scientists.\xa0
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 But he isn't--
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Don't get me wrong. I have the greatest appreciation for science. I am, if I do say so, a scientific soldier. I'm always interested in the latest weapons. You can't fight any kind of a war any more without science.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Of course not.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 But I can't have a team of longhairs poking around this thing for the next month, holding me up. My job is to destroy it, by any means in my power, and at once. I am going to do just that.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I don't think it will be that easy.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 That's what you're here for.\xa0 Tell me what the problem is, and I'll figure out how to solve it.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 [muttered] Usually a scientist's job.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Very well.\xa0 As far as I can figure out, this thing--
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 The leech.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 It isn\u2019t really--
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's the codename.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 [muttered] I'm the one who called it that in the first place.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 The "leech" appears to be an organic mass-energy converter, and a frighteningly efficient one.\xa0 I'm guessing here, and keep in mind that this is really not my--
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Get on with it.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 It appears to convert external mass into energy, then back into its own internal mass.\xa0 Energy is directly converted into the body mass.\xa0 How this takes place, I do not know.\xa0 The leech is not protoplasmic.\xa0 It may not even be cellular--
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 So we need something big against it.\xa0 That's all right, then.\xa0 I've got plenty of big stuff here.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Oh boy!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I don't think you understand me.\xa0 Let me rephrase.\xa0 [intense] The leech eats energy!\xa0 It will consume any energy weapon you use against it.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [considering]\xa0 And what happens if it keeps on eating?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I think it will only be limited by its food source.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 So when it runs out, we'll all be safe?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 When it runs out, we'll all be gone.
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH J
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 senses growing.\xa0 Feel moving food.\xa0 Sitting food.\xa0 Food near.\xa0 Food far.\xa0 Waiting for food to come near.\xa0 Hungrrrrry.
MUSIC
\xa0
11_NEED HELP
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 INSIDE HEADQUARTERS TENT
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I insist you contact some physicists.\xa0 Biologists and chemists too.\xa0 Give them a chance to figure out how to nullify it.\xa0 I can give you some names.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 I don't have time to wait while a passel of scientists wrangle!\xa0 I have this axiom - Muster enough force, and anything will give.\xa0 Anything.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 [muttered] Military thinking.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [pleased] Thanks.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [sigh] But I am not that kind of--
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Don't sell yourself short, Prof!\xa0 And don't underestimate the army.\xa0 We have, massed under North Hill - right over there - the greatest accumulation of energy and radioactive weapons ever assembled in one spot.\xa0 I bet even this leech won't withstand the full force of all that.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 [worried] Professor?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [doubtful] I suppose it could be possible to overload the thing.\xa0
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [smug] I'll go and give some orders.\xa0 We're gonna crack that leech in half!
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 HE LEAVES
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Did he listen to a single thing you said?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [sigh] He is the military.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Then why are you - we - even here?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I fear the general wants to be able to say he consulted a scientist.\xa0 I'm convenient since I can\u2019t possibly have a relevant opinion.
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH K
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 [UNDER] RAY GUNS, EXPLOSIONS, ETC.
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 Fooooood!\xa0 Rich food!\xa0 Needing more!\xa0 Ray food, energy food, liquid food!\xa0 Needing more!\xa0 More food makes more hungry!!!!\xa0 Sensing.\xa0 Sensing for food.\xa0 Ahhhh.\xa0 THERE.
MUSIC
\xa0
12_STOCKPILE
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 INSIDE HEADQUARTERS TENT
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [incredulous and furious] It did what?\xa0
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 NANA OF VOICE ON WALKIE-TALKIE.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 It flew!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 It might be better described as a type of hovering.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Shh!\xa0 Over and out.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 WALKIE SQUAWK - OFF
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [resigned] Where did it go?
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 The damned fools!\xa0 Why'd they have to panic?\xa0 You'd think they'd never been trained!
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 They couldn't exactly expect that!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [urgent] Where?
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 North Hill.\xa0 [angry sigh]\xa0 Our armory.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 But that's a whole mile away!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 At least.\xa0
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Sixty-seven men died!\xa0 And the leech just - just jumped there!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I still say it hovered.\xa0 It definitely moved with some sort of self-propulsion.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 I'll write that down.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 The way it looked, it floated across the sky, blacking out the sun, and then, when it reached its goal, it simply dropped.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [snarling] How can you be so clinical about this?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 I - I-
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's OUR job to take notes for the scientists you will eventually have to call in.
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH L
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 So good!\xa0 So nice!\xa0 Rich food.\xa0 Much energy.\xa0 Growwww.\xa0 Yessss.\xa0 Ahhhh.\xa0 More cells.\xa0 Now, more hungry.
MUSIC
\xa0
13_EXPERTS
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 INSIDE HEADQUARTERS TENT
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 PACING
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Haven\u2019t those eggheads made up their minds yet? We've had to evacuate six nearby farms.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's not like choosing a tie.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 But they're the experts!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 No one's an expert on this.\xa0 It's never happened before. \xa0The physicists consider it a biological matter, and the biologists seem to think the chemists should have the answer. \xa0We can't even agree on whose problem it is!
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's the military's problem!\xa0 I don't give a hang what the thing is!\xa0 I just want to know how to destroy it!\xa0 [offhand] They better give me permission to use the bomb.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 STRIDES OFF
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Will that work?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Well, I have a theory.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Yes?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Which I hope will remain a theory.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 How can I make notes if you don't tell me?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 The Bomb might overload it.\xa0 MIGHT destroy it.\xa0 Or give it what it needs to grow big enough to devour the entire continent.\xa0 Sooner.\xa0
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 FEET STRIDE BACK
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Still talking!\xa0 Gah!\xa0 I've been pushing for the Bomb for a week now!\xa0 And I'll get it, but not til they run out of doubletalk!
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Could be a while.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [intense] I am going to destroy that leech.\xa0 I am going to SMASH it, if it's the last thing I do!\xa0 It\u2019s gone beyond national security now.\xa0 THIS is personal.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 STRIDES OFF
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I knew you shouldn't have named it.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Why?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Once you name something, you get to thinking you KNOW it.\xa0 And no matter how much you think you won't, you start applying traits to it.\xa0 Anthropomorphizing it.\xa0 Attaching motives and feelings to it.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Who says it doesn\u2019t feel?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 It does.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [from off] Here come the bright boys now!
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH M
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 So big.\xa0 Big now.\xa0 Big makes hungry.\xa0 So much to fill.\xa0 So much to feed.\xa0 Need more.\xa0 More good rich food.
MUSIC
\xa0
14_SCIENTISTS
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 INSIDE HEADQUARTERS TENT
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Well, have you figured out what it is yet?
ALLENSON\xa0\xa0\xa0 [weary sarcasm] Just a minute - I'll hack off a sample.\xa0 Hah.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [exasperated] Have you figured out some scientific way of killing it?
MORIARTY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [dry, offhand] Oh, that wasn't difficult at all.\xa0
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Really?
MORIARTY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Wrap it in a perfect vacuum.\xa0 That'll do the trick.\xa0 Or blow it off the earth with anti-gravity.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Can they really?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Don't be silly.
ALLENSON\xa0\xa0\xa0 Failing that, we suggest you use your atomic bombs and use them fast.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Yes!\xa0 [vainly trying to curb his enthusiasm]\xa0 Is that the opinion of the entire think tank?
MORIARTY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [sigh]\xa0 Yes.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 GENERAL HURRIES OFF
ALLENSON\xa0\xa0\xa0 He should have called us in immediately!\xa0 There's no time to consider anything but force now.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Have you come to any conclusions about the nature of this thing?
MORIARTY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Only general ones.\xa0 Very much in line with your notes and conclusions.\xa0
ALLENSON\xa0\xa0\xa0 As you mentioned, it's a perfect converter--it can transform mass into energy, and any energy into mass.
MORIARTY \xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0Naturally that's impossible and I have figures to prove it.\xa0 We're positing that this thing was in some dormant spore-stage until it was pulled in by the earth's gravity.
ALLENSON\xa0\xa0\xa0 Incidentally, we should be damned grateful that it didn\u2019t land in the ocean.\xa0 We'd have been eaten out of house and home--
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Literally.
ALLENSON\xa0\xa0\xa0 --before we even knew what we were looking for.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [musing] I wonder how long it will take him to get permission to use the bomb.
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH N
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 slow grow.\xa0 Hungry.\xa0 No grow.\xa0 Dull food not enough.\xa0 Want more.\xa0 Want grow.\xa0 Want be big again.
MUSIC
\xa0
15_BOMBS
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 INSIDE HEADQUARTERS TENT
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Brigadier-General, with all due respect sir, how many MORE scientists can there be?\xa0 We've been waiting for--
BRIG-GENERAL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [on phone] Washington had to explore every alternative before detonating an atomic bomb in the middle of New York!
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 So now I can use the bomb?
BRIG-GENERAL\xa0\xa0\xa0 We need some time to evacuate people in an orderly fashion.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Sir!\xa0 This leech is still growing!\xa0 We have to stop it before it gets out of hand!
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Bit late for that.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Shh.\xa0 He's doing the best he can.
BRIG-GENERAL\xa0\xa0\xa0 We've signed you out five bombs.\xa0 Use them well.\xa0 But not until the order comes through.
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH O
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 slowing.\xa0 Drowsing.\xa0 Waiting.\xa0 Cells starving.\xa0 Too much need food.\xa0 Tired...
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 EXPLOSION
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 YESSSS!\xa0 Foooooood!\xa0 Much!\xa0 Too much!\xa0 Holding!\xa0 Choking!\xa0 No!\xa0 straining....\xa0 straining!\xa0 More cells.\xa0 Need more cells!\xa0 Building!\xa0 Feeeeeeeeding!\xa0 Choking?\xa0 [beat] No.\xa0
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 BOMB
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 Enough cells now.\xa0 Rich food.\xa0 More.\xa0 Grow.\xa0 Build.\xa0 JOY.
MUSIC
\xa0
16_SIXTY MILES
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 INSIDE NEW HEADQUARTERS TENT
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Sixty miles across.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 There was no way to know.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 This was supposed to KILL it.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 At least there was no fallout.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I'm sure it ate THAT too.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 I have to KILL IT!\xa0 Do you hear me!\xa0 The blasted thing has spread all the way to the Adirondacks!
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 What's next?\xa0 More bombs?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I don't think it's advisable.\xa0 If we throw enough at it to crack it, we might crack open the earth's crust.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 The leech has to be blown up quick.\xa0 What are the bright boys hedging for?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 They don't know what will happen.\xa0 The concentration of bombs it would require--
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Perhaps they'd like me to order a bayonet attack.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 They've got to do something.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's frustrating.\xa0 I keep feeling like I should be doing more, but this simply isn't my area of expertise!\xa0 That thing thrives on force - and the scientists don't have time to consider any alternatives.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Fight fire with fire.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 But it's not fire.\xa0 Fire is fickle.\xa0 Fire is Loki.\xa0 Fire is a trickster.\xa0 This thing is...\xa0 is...
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Where the heck are the scientists?
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 TENT FLAP
ALLENSON\xa0\xa0\xa0 [coming in] We've finished the calculations.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Good.\xa0 I'll call in the strike.
MORIARTY\xa0\xa0\xa0 There's a damned good chance of splitting the earth wide open with that much power!
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 You have to take chances in war.\xa0
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 He doesn't even care!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 He cares.\xa0 He just doesn't care about that.\xa0 Hercules himself couldn't turn the general from his course.
ALLENSON\xa0\xa0\xa0 Hear us out!
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Your own calculations show that the leech is now growing at twenty feet per hour.\xa0 So how much time is that before it reaches this post?
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 He's got a point.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [musing]\xa0 Hercules....\xa0 Something...
ALLENSON\xa0\xa0\xa0 And speeding up.\xa0 But this can't be done in haste--
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Aha!\xa0
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 What?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I may have a counter-offer.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Does it involve me blowing up the leech?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's a very dim chance, but...\xa0 [trails off]
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Yes?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 have you ever heard of Antaeus?
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH P
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 more large.\xa0 more thought.\xa0 More memory.\xa0 Large rock and dirt and stone food.\xa0 Devoured.\xa0 Joy.\xa0 Huge mass of combustibles - light and heat and energy!\xa0 Food.\xa0 True joy!\xa0
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 MEMORY SOUNDS
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 then all devoured.\xa0 Dark.\xa0 Cold.\xa0 Empty.\xa0 Cells Shrinking, dying, self-devouring self.\xa0 Moving.\xa0 Seeking.\xa0 Food.
MUSIC
\xa0
17_DRONE SHIP
AMB\xa0\xa0\xa0 OUTSIDE
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 SMALL PLANE PASSES OVERHEAD
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 So that's what a drone looks like.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Pretty much like any other rocket ship.\xa0 The pilot just happens to be over there in the tent.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 I hope you're right about this, professor.
MORIARTY\xa0\xa0\xa0 The calculations all validate the hypothesis.\xa0 If what you said about the creature's motivational capability is accurate--
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 There it goes!
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Straight up!\xa0 Son of a biscuit!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's - it's - enormous!
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH Q
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 FIGHTER PLANE BUZZES PAST
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 Food!\xa0 Rich food!\xa0 Above!\xa0 Out of reach!\xa0 Why not fall?\xa0 Come to me?\xa0 Food!\xa0 ... seek.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 BUZZ OF FIGHTER PLANE MOVING AWAY
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 heat!\xa0 Small food.\xa0 Cold!\xa0 Nothing.\xa0 Ah, little flying food, come to - oh.\xa0 Oh, yes.\xa0 Far.\xa0 There.\xa0 Huge bright glowing mass of combustibles.\xa0 Food.
MUSIC
\xa0
18_ANTAEUS
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 OUTDOORS
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Wow.\xa0 Now, that's a crater.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 You can look at it later.\xa0 I keep worrying that I've missed something.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 But the leech is gone, professor!\xa0 Right up and out of the atmosphere.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 There's no way to be sure it won't come back.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Everybody's going to be watching for the leech.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Please don't call it that.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 What then?\xa0 Antaeus?\xa0 Who's that anyway?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Greek Mythology.\xa0 Son of Gaea and Poseidon - the earth goddess and sea god.\xa0 He was an invincible wrestler, drawing his strength from the earth itself.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 His mom.\xa0 Apron strings, even in mythology.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [chuckles]\xa0 Well, Hercules had to wrestle him, and every time Hercules threw him to the ground, he rose refreshed.\xa0
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Didn't Hercules know about the earth?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 He figured it out.\xa0 After that, he just held Antaeus up in the air until he gave up.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [off slightly] Come on, join me in some champagne.\xa0 Even you brainy folks can use a little celebration!
MORIARTY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [happily] Maybe just a sip!
ALLENSON\xa0\xa0\xa0 I don't mind if I do.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 Be there in a minute!\xa0 [to prof] So the fighter rocketship they sent up will just keep leading it around in space til it gets tired and drops dead?
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Better.\xa0 It's going to take it right into the sun.\xa0 Big or not, the damn thing can't eat THAT.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Lord, I hope not.\xa0
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [to pilot] How's the ship, pilot?
PILOT\xa0\xa0\xa0 Just reached the orbit of Mercury, sir.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Fine!\xa0 Fine.\xa0 I swore to destroy that thing.\xa0 Not the way I wanted to do it - too far out to see it go up with my own eyes - If I had a choice, it would be more personal.\xa0 But the important thing is the destruction.\xa0 Destruction is at times a sacred mission.\xa0 Man, I feel wonderful!
MORIARTY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [panicky]\xa0 Turn the rocket!!!!\xa0 TURN IT!
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 What the devil?
MORIARTY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Considering rate of growth, energy consumption capacity, and speed versus projected energy retention, figuring in the energy it will receive from the sun as it approaches--
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Speak English!
MORIARTY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [dire warning] It\u2019s gonna devour the sun.
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH R
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 closer!\xa0 Closer!\xa0 More heat!\xa0 More light!\xa0 All!\xa0 Must have all!\xa0 Small rich food moving away.\xa0 Choice.\xa0 Nearby small food?\xa0 Far big food?\xa0 Hungry NOW.\xa0 Close first.\xa0 Catch quick, feed enough to move to big food.\xa0\xa0 Yes!
MUSIC
\xa0
19_TURN AWAY
AMBIANCE\xa0\xa0\xa0 INSIDE HEADQUARTERS TENT
PILOT\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's turning, sir!
ALL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [general sounds of relief]
ALLENSON\xa0\xa0\xa0 Take it out at right angles to the plane of the solar system.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 RADAR [start much earlier]
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 So the blob is the leech and the dot is the ship?
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 Yes.\xa0
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 What portion of the sky would the leech be in just now?
MORIARTY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Somewhere out in that section - just over that tree.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Fine.\xa0 [calling order back over shoulder]\xa0 Soldier!\xa0 Carry out your orders!
ALL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [surprised concern - "what?" "huh"\xa0 "what are you up to?" etc.]
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 [calling] The dot is slowing down!\xa0 The blob is catching up!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 What are you up to, general?
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [grim satisfaction] I told you this was a personal matter.\xa0 I swore to destroy that leech. \xa0We can never have any security while it is alive.\xa0 [chuckles triumphantly] I had that ship especially built.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 To do... what... precisely?
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Shall we look at the sky?
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 FEET, TENT FLAP, ETC. as they leave.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Soldier?
PILOT\xa0\xa0\xa0 Three seconds, sir!
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Push the button.
PILOT\xa0\xa0\xa0 Yes, sir!
FRANK \xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0is something supposed to--\xa0 Whoah!
MORIARTY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Not a good idea to look directly at the explosion!
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 What... did... you... do?
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [smug]\xa0 That rocket was built around a hydrogen bomb.\xa0 I set it off at the contact moment.
FRANK\xa0\xa0\xa0 How come there's no sound?\xa0 Thought there'd be a loud bang or something.\xa0 Is it like thunder?
ALLENSON\xa0\xa0\xa0 Sound doesn\u2019t travel in a vacuum.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 [explaining] We're anthropologists.\xa0
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 [calling to pilot] Anything on the radar?
PILOT\xa0\xa0\xa0 [from within] Nope!\xa0 Not a speck, sir.
O'DONNELL\xa0\xa0\xa0 Men - and scientists - I have met the enemy and he is MINE.\xa0 Let's have some more of that champagne.
PROF\xa0\xa0\xa0 I wish I was that sure.
MUSIC
\xa0
LEECH S
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 Catching food.\xa0 Slowing.\xa0 Tiring.\xa0 Catch.\xa0 Massive surge!\xa0 Too much!\xa0 Holding!\xa0 Holding!\xa0 Absorbing! \xa0Building! \xa0No!\xa0 No!\xa0 overload!\xa0 Too much!\xa0 Breaking!\xa0 Come apart!\xa0 Losing thought!\xa0 Losing cohesion!\xa0 Breaking.\xa0 Broken.\xa0 Shattered.
SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 [long moment of silence, then in squeaky little voices:]
LEECHETTE1\xa0\xa0\xa0 Hungry
LEECHETTE2\xa0\xa0\xa0 Hungry
LEECHETTE3\xa0\xa0\xa0 Hungry
LEECHETTE4\xa0\xa0\xa0 cold.\xa0 hungry
LEECHETTE5\xa0\xa0\xa0 Hungry
[more and more leechettes until they populate the entire soundscape]
LEECH\xa0\xa0\xa0 [MANY VOICES] hungry.\xa0 Empty.\xa0 hungry.\xa0 Empty. hungry.\xa0 hungry.\xa0 Empty [repeats under]
MUSIC
END CREDITS