THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD
 
 Screenplay by
 Charles Lederer
 
 Based on the story
 
 WHO GOES THERE?
 by
  John W. Campbell Jr.
 
 
 RKO 1951
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8/29/50
 
 
 
 
 
 FADE IN
 
1 EXT. NIGHT
 
 The snow piled streets at Dutch Harbor, Alaska. A wind
 blows. The street is empty. A bundled figure moves
 through the street toward a low roofed lighted building.
 
 A sign outside the building reads:
 
 "OFFICER'S CLUB, DUTCH HARBOR, ALASKA"
 
 Someone has scribbled the words under the printing "No
 Penguins allowed".
 
 The figure stops in the doorway and looks at a long
 thermometer. It registers twenty-five below zero. The
 figure continues into the club.
 
 
2 INT. OFFICERS CLUB ROOM - MIDNIGHT
 
 This is the social center for U.S.A. flying men roosting
 in the polar regions. The air base is near Dutch Harbor,
 Alaska - a commuting hop from the Arctic Circle. It is
 early winter. The night in Dutch Harbor is long and
 dark.
 
 In the room two of the six gaming tables are occupied.
 At one sits a four handed bridge game. At the other sit
 five men playing poker. RADIO MUSIC - an American
 Service Broadcast - is coming a bit feebly into the room.
  All is cozy and steam-heated in the room.
 
 Among the five poker players are three men who are to be
 active in our story. One is W.O. Vic MacAuliff. He is
 a tough, taciturn radio man. He has seen service
 everywhere, heard nearly all the languages and drunk
 nearly all the different brews of the earth.
 
 The second is Captain Pat Henry, in his early thirties.
 Captain Henry has been a flyer since he shed his first
 stocking cap. He is a man of whimsey and temper and
 also mood.
 
 The third is Lieutenant Eddie Dykes, a tall, homely man
 under thirty.
 
 The overcoats, boots, ear-lapped military hats of the
 aviators lie on an unused table nearby.
 
  EDDIE DYKES
 (as he shuffles
 and deals)
 It was about a hundred and five
 in the shade in this place. The
 women didn't wear any clothes at
 all to speak of - which was very
 intelligent of them. You lay in
 a hammock and three of them stood there
 fanning you. When I die, I hope
 to go to Accra.
 
 MACAULIFF
 I was there.
 
 HENRY
 (looking at
 his hand)
 I open for one dollar.
 
 PLAYER
 I stay.
 
  PLAYER
 I'm out.
 
 MACAULIFF
 Going up.
 
 He puts two chips on the table.
 
 EDDIE
 Scotland strikes again. I'm
  in. Cards, gentlemen.
 
 Two other players add another chip each to the pot.
 
 HENRY
 Three.
 
 PLAYERS
 Three.
 
  MACAULIFF
 These'll do.
 
 The figure has entered the room and is surveying the
 poker players as it removes its wrappings. He is Ned
 Skeely, a newspaper correspondent.
 
 HENRY
  Hello, Skeely, how are you?
 
 SKEELY
 Faintly alive. Twenty-five below
 and going down. It's a night for
 brass monkeys.
 
 HENRY
  Care to join us?
 
 SKEELY
 As soon as I count my fingers.
 I may have lost some.
 
 HENRY
 I think you know everybody here.
 
  Players smile and say "sure."
 
 MACAULIFF
 I haven't met the gentleman, Captain.
 
 HENRY
 Ned Skeely - Angus MacAuliff.
 
 MACAULIFF
 How do you do, sir.
 
 EDDIE
 Mr. Skeely's a newspaper man, Mac.
 We're going to put on a snow ball
 fight for him tomorrow.
 
 Skeely takes a seat next
 to Eddie.
 
 HENRY
 (returning to the play)
 One dollar is bet.
 
 EDDIE
 Against a pat hand held by a
 Scotchman. Captain Henry, your
 decorations for valor have gone
 to your head. I'm folding.
 
 MACAULIFF
 Call.
 
 HENRY
  A pair of aces.
 
 MACAULIFF
 Beats two queens.
 
 EDDIE
 (to MacAuliff)
 You ought to know better than to
 try fooling my pal. Only dames
 can do that.
 
 HENRY
 (quietly)
 I promised you a kick in the belly.
 
 EDDIE
 (mockingly)
  Forgive. Forgive. A slip of the
 tongue.
 
 HENRY
 (to Skeely)
 How'd you make out with General
 Fogarty?
 
 SKEELY
 Your general is nursing his secrets
 like a June bride.
 
 MACAULIFF
 Deal 'em out, lieutenant.
 
 EDDIE
 You in, Mr. Skeely?
 
  SKEELY
 Yes. I am always interestad in
 pauperizing the air force.
 
 EDDIE
 (dealing)
 I've got a big idea that involves
  you, Mr. Skeely. You're not going
 to get any story out of this post.
 Forgarty has given us all instructions
 to treat you like a Russian spy.
 
 SKEELY
  General Fogarty is going to end up
 on his knees begging for my attention.
 
 EDDIE
 (intently)
 This is more practical, Mr. Skeely.
 There's a man in Edmonton who can
 give you the whole Radar defense
 story. Loves to talk. General
 MacLaren. You tell the General you
 want to get to Edmonton - and Pat
 and I'll fly you there.
 
 SKEELY
 I know General MacLaren. He bores
 me.
 
 EDDIE
 (desperately)
 Don't be like that! It's warm in
  Edmonton! They've got girls in
 Edmonton! Without fur pants on!
 
 SKEELY
 (to Henry)
 How about it, Captain?
 
 HENRY
  Let's play cards.
 
 MACAULIFF
 (to Eddie)
 Ye ought to know better than to try
 and shoo our captain southward -
 with his heart wrapped around the
  North Pole.
 
 HENRY
 That'll do, Mr. MacAuliff.
 
 MACAULIFF
 (grinning)
 I open - for two dollars.
 
  SKEELY
 (casually, as they play)
 What's going on at the North Pole?
 
 EDDIE
 Some scientists are holding a
 convention there. Looking for
  Polar bear tails. Ever hear of
 Dr. Carrington?
 
 SKEELY
 The fellow who was at Bikini?
 
 EDDIE
 The same.
 
 HENRY
 They're holed in about two thousand
 miles north of here, a lot of
 botanists and physicists.
 
 EDDIE
 (solemnly)
 Including a pin-up girl. Very
 interesting type. Captain Henry
 can give you any data on her you
 want.
 
 HENRY
 (looking at his cards and
 speaking quietly to Eddie)
 Someday I hope to have a co-pilot a
 cut above a high school boy - or
 at least dry behind his ears -
 
 A voice comes over the
 P.A. speaker.
 
  VOICE
 Captain Henry. Captain Pat Henry.
 Report to General Fogarty's quarters
 at once, please.
 
 Henry rises from the table.
 
 SKEELY
 (frowning and serious)
 Twelve thirty and a general yelling
 for his troops. Sounds like the
 old days.
 
 Henry starts putting on his overcoat.
 
  DISSOLVE TO:
 
 
3 INT. GENERAL FOGARTY'S QUARTERS. NIGHT
 
 A living room with a fire going in the fire place. The
 room is fairly well furnished. Some war trophies are
 on the wall, including a piece of a Japanese aeroplane,
 a Jap sword, and other important war souvenirs.
 
 Three men are in the room. One is General Fogarty, in
 his forties; the second is the adjutant of the post,
 Major Smith. The third is Corporal Hauser from the
 post's communication center.
 
 FOGARTY
 (to Corporal Hauser)
 If any more messages come in from
 that base I want to be notified
 personally, no matter what time.
 Tell the O.D.
 
 CORPORAL
 Yes, sir.
 
 There is a knock on the door.
 
 FOGARTY
 Come in.
 
  The door opens and a blast of
 freezing air hits the room as
 Captain Henry enters. He closes
 the door.
 
 HENRY
 Good evening, sir.
 
  Corporal Hauser opens the door
 and exits, letting another blast
 of cold into the room. The General
 shivers, scowls and grumbles.
 
 FOGARTY
  (shivering)
 Freddie, any chance of the Pentagon
 sending us a revolving door?
 
 MAJOR
 Could be. We got a gross of pith
 helmets last week.
 
 FOGARTY
 (to Henry)
 I've go something queer here from your
 picnic party up north. Just came in.
 (he reads from a paper)
 Believe air ship unusual type crashed
 in our vicinity. Please send
 facilities to investigate. Most urgent.
 (he looks up)
 It's from Dr. Carrington. What's it
 sound like to you, Pat?
 
 HENRY
 I think I'd better hop up.
 
 FOGARTY
 (dryly)
 I knew you'd say that. But what do
 you think you'll find, besides your
 lady friend?
 
 HENRY
 (quietly)
 I don't know. Any of our ships
 reported missing?
 
 MAJOR
  Not a one.
 
 HENRY
 Could be a Russky. They're all
 over the Pole, like flies.
 
 FOGARTY
 (smiling)
 Don't get nervous. You're going.
 When a double dome like Professor
 Carrington says "most urgent",
 small people like us have to jump.
 Better take a dog team and everything
 you might need for rescue work.
 
 HENRY
 I'll take off at 4:30.
 
 MAJOR
 What's the weather, Pat?
 
 HENRY
 There's a bad front moving in.
 But I think there's enough time
 to get there and back without
 bumping into it.
 
 FOGARTY
 You can do me a favor, Pat.
 
 HENRY
 Yes, sir.
 
 FOGARTY
 Take that newspaper fella up with
 you - and maroon him there.
 
 HENRY
 I'll invite him.
 
  FOGARTY
 And don't get me wrong about
 who gets marooned, Captain
 Henry. I would appreciate
 it if you didn't smash a landing
 ski and find it necessary to
  twiddle your thumbs for a week
 while it's being repaired.
 
 HENRY
 (coldly)
 That accident was unavoidable, sir.
 
 FOGARTY
  So was Romeo and Juliet. I'll
 expect you back tomorrow night -
 with or without Mr. Skeely.
 Good luck.
 
 DISSOLVE TO:
 
 
4 INT. C-54 PLANE. IT IS FLYING THROUGH A DIMLY LIT
 SKY. BELOW ARE CLOUD BANKS.
 
 In the plane are W. O. MacAuliff, Ned Skeely,
 Navigator Lieutenant Ken Ericson and Light
 Engineer Corporal Barnes. Captain Henry is flying
 the ship, Lieut. Dykes is beside him. MacAuliff
 is at his radio instrument.
 
 A dozen huskies and several sleds are in the plane,
 plus a pile of other cargo tied down under tarpaulin.
 
 SKEELY
 How far are we from camp?
 
 HENRY
 Three hours. We've slowed down.
 There's a breeze blowing.
 
 EDDIE DYKES
 (grimly)
 A breeze, he says. It's hitting
 forty miles. But you'll find
 that our captain has some funny
 ideas about the North Pole. He
 thinks it's a garden spot. Come
 and bring the kiddies.
 
  HENRY
 (grimly)
 You're yapping is out of order,
 Eddie. I'm not going to tell
 you again -
 
 EDDIE
 Always squawking - that's me!
 And for no reason! Shackleton
 went to the North pole once -
 and retired with a bag full of
 medals. I get to go there every
 three weeks - like it was lover's
 lane.
 
 HENRY
 (coldly)
 I'd like you to get this straight,
 Mr. Skeely, if you write anything.
 I'm liaison officer between our
  post and the Carrington outfit.
 These flights are strictly official.
 Usually bring in supplies. They're
 charting magnetic currents, growing
 new kinds of polar plants, looking
 for minerals.
 
 EDDIE
 That's right, Skeely. I was
 only kidding. It's a terrific
 outfit. The biggest collection
 of double domes ever got together
 on an ice cake.
 
 MACAULIFF
 (to the talkers)
 Something's coming through.
 
 Henry, Eddie and Navigator
 Ericson put on their head
 phones and listen.
 
 EDDIE
 (listening to the
 ear phones)
 Somebody's gooped up!
 
 HENRY
  (removing ear
 phones)
 Give me a new reading, Ken.
 
 KEN
 I can't understand it.
 
 SKEELY
 Who was that?
 
  HENRY
 The radio man, Hendrix - talking
 for Carrington. He wants us to
 correct our compass reading
 twelve points East. A magnetic
 disturbance is whacking away at
 everything.
 
 KEN
 (working)
 This is no place to make a mistake,
 Pat. We were bee-lining for the
 place. Hadn't we better get them
 back.
 
 HENRY
 No. Carrington doesn't make
 mistakes. We'll follow ground
 instructions.
 
 DISSOLVE TO:
 
 
5 INT. PLANE. A VIEW FAR BELOW OF THE SPRAWLING
 POLAR SETTLEMENT.
 
 Small dots of roofs on a flat expanse of snow.
 The plane starts descending.
 
 DISSOLVE TO:
 
 
6 EXT. POLAR PROJECT CAMP - DAY
 
 The C-54 makes a landing on skis some two hundred
 feet from the largest of the low looming buildings.
 The arrivals drop out of the plane door.
 
 A half dozen Eskimo workers belonging to the camp
 hurry toward them.
 
 DISSOLVE TO:
 
 
7 INT. LARGE ASSEMBLY ROOM OF POLAR EXPEDITION
 
 It is 60 per cent underground. It's windows are
 near the ceiling and function as transoms for
 light.
 
  The room is comfortably furnished and warm. It's
 steam pipes run along the wall.
 
 In the room are Dr. Chapman, Dr. Algari and Mrs.
 Chapman.
 
 Chapman is a forceful looking man in his forties.
 His wife is a good looking woman of forty who is
 also his assistant. Chapman is a minerologist.
 Algari is an elderly man, white haired. He is a
 botanist.
 
 A male cook stands at a large electric stove. He
 is cooking coffee and a hot lunch in a number of
 pots. Chapman walks up the stairs to the door,
 which is near the top of the room. He opens it.
 
 Captain Henry and his group come dowm the stairs.
 
 CHAPMAN
 Very pretty landing, Captain.
 We watched it. How was the trip?
 
 HENRY
 Nice ride. This is Mr. Skeely,
 Dr. Chapman, Mrs. Chapman, Dr.
 Algari. Mr. Skeely's a newspaperman.
 
  SKEELY
 Glad to know you.
 
 CHAPMAN
 (smiling)
 Glad to have a newspaperman drop
 in on us. We're a bit off the
  beaten track.
 
 SKEELY
 (looking around)
 Don't tell me I'm practically
 at the North Pole! Looks more
 like my old Kentucky home.
 
  HENRY
 Any further information, Dr.
 Chapman?
 
 CHAPMAN
 I'm convinced it's some sort of
 Russian air craft. Probably some
 new jet propelled rocket.
 
 ALGARI
 I very much doubt that, Hugo.
 I don't understand Russian
 science, but it can't be as
 far advanced as the indications
  we have from the crashed ship.
 
 CHAPMAN
 If it is a ship. We're all
 quite excited, Captain.
 
 HENRY
 Where's Dr. Carrington?
 
  CHAPMAN
 In the lab.
 
 MRS. CHAPMAN
 They'll all be here for lunch.
 It's ready - if you'd like to
 eat first. Fresh vegetables.
 
  HENRY
 (to Skeely)
 From their own garden.
 
 SKEELY
 Garden?
 
 MRS. CHAPMAN
 (smiling)
  Hothouse.
 
 SKEELY
 You have a hothouse! At the Pole!
 
 EDDIE
 (winking at Skeely)
 They've got everything here.
 Wait till you see.
 
 HENRY
 I'll join you in a few minutes.
 
 ALGARI
 I'll take you to the lab, Captain.
 
 HENRY
 Thanks. I know the way.
 
 He starts out of the room.
 
 MRS. CHAPMAN
 Please sit down, everybody.
 
 The group moves toward a long refectory table set with
 twenty places. We follow Captain Henry out.
 
 
8 INT. A CONNECTING UNDERGROUND CORRIDOR BETWEEN TWO OF
 THE CAMP BUILDINGS
 
 Henry, enters it and walks toward a steep stairway. He
 climbs it and knocks on a door. A voice calls.
 
 VOICE
  Come in.
 
 He opens the door.
 
 
9 INT. NIKKI'S OFFICE AND SLEEPING QUARTERS
 
 A small office-like room, lined with filing cabinets,
 holding a desk, a typewriter stand, a voice recording
 machine, and a couch that serves as a bed, is revealed.
 Sitting at the desk, typing, is a vivid, young woman,
 Alberta Nicholson. She is called Nikki. She stops
 typing and rises.
 
 NIKKI
 Pat! Welcome to our igloo!
 
 HENRY
 (smiling)
 Hello, Nikki. You look like seven
 million dollars. How are you?
 
 NIKKI
 Wonderful. Sit down.
 
  HENRY
 I talk better standing.
 
 He steps up to her and embraces her ardently. She
 pulls out of his embrace, calmly, and without alarm.
 
 NIKKI
 Please.
 (she straightens her hair)
 I think Dr. Carrington is waiting
 for you.
 
 HENRY
 Dr. Carrington will have to wait.
 I'm busy.
 
 He tries to embrace her again.
 
 NIKKI
 (evading him)
 No, you're not.
 
 HENRY
 (frowning)
 What's the matter?
 
  NIKKI
 Now, don't act surprised. We've been
 all through this before. I don't like
 promiscuous love making. It's meaningless.
 
 HENRY
 Who's promiscuous? We're alone, aren't we?
 
 NIKKI
 Pat, last time you were here, I spent
 three days wrestling with a typical air
 corps wolf. It was like playing puss-in-
  the-corner with Bluebeard or somebody.
 You even invaded my bedroom, claiming you
 were looking for a lost pocketknife. Now,
 I'm fond of you, Pat, but this time, if
 you don't keep your hands to yourself,
 we're through.
 
 HENRY
 You're fond of me, eh? Well, I'm fond
 of you, too. What are we waiting for?
 
 NIKKI
  We're waiting until we get to know
 each other.
 
 HENRY
 (grinning)
 Now you're on my side. Come here.
 You'll get to know me.
 
  NIKKI
 (pushing him away)
 Not that way.
 
 HENRY
 What other way is there?
 
 NIKKI
 (desperately)
  Didn't you ever hear the word
 "conversation"? Didn't you ever read a
 book, or see a movie - or - or think
 about anything?
 
 HENRY
 Yeah. But you don't want to talk
 about what I'm thinking.
 
 NIKKI
 No, I don't. If that's all you can think!
 
 HENRY
 I got other thoughts.
 
  NIKKI
 It would be an entrancing diversion to
 hear one.
 
 HENRY
 Well, try this one. Dames are all alike.
 
 NIKKI
  That's not a thought. It's a cliche.
 And a stupid cliche.
 
 HENRY
 All dames want to get married. If you
 ask them to marry you, you're sincere. If
 you don't you're Bluebeard, and a wolf.
 
 NIKKI
 (dangerously)
 Are you saying I want you to ask me to
 marry you?
 
 HENRY
 Never could figure them out. If you
 buy a dame one meal and try to kiss
 her, you're a wolf and a Bluebeard.
 But if the same fellow promises to buy
 her thirty thousand meals, then he's a
  prospective husband and he couldn't
 beat her off with a stick.
 
 NIKKI
 Yes, and tell a fellow your garter
 belt is your own business, and he'll
 think of every mean, stinking thing
 in the world to say back to you!
 
 HENRY
 (calmly)
 That's the war of the sexes, I guess.
 
 NIKKI
  Well, I hate war!
 
 HENRY
 On the other hand, it's my business. I
 got a commission. Gimme a kiss, Nikki.
 
 NIKKI
 I'm tired of you. Now, come on. Doctor
 Carrington's eager to see you.
 
 HENRY
 (gloomily)
 Okay. Lead on, Miss Nicholson. I
 guess I came to the wrong Pole.
 
 He follows her out.
 
 DISSOLVE
 
 
10 INT. DR. CARRINGTON'S LABORATORY
 
 This is a large chamer in a separate building. Here
 are concentrated the instruments used by the various
 scientists in their astronomical, mineralogical and
 botanical experiments.
 
 At a large flat-topped table in the room sits Dr. Arthur
 Carrington. He is a man of 43 with an alert, cheerful
 face. He is good looking, well built, soft spoken.
 His dominant characteristic is a smile that seems never
 to leave his lips. It is present always on his face
 like an extra feature. He is a genius of science and
 a man whose brain is focused like a microscope on the
 secrets of nature. But the intensity of his preoccupa-
 tion with science is not to be heard in the easy tones
 of his voice. It will be seen in the things he does,
 in his point of view - but never in his manner.
 Outwardly, he seems only a good looking man full of
 child-like enthusiasm for a task and with a soothing,
 amiable way for his fellow man.
 
 In the room with Dr. Carrington is a lean young man
 named William Stone, in charge of the camp's
 photographic work and equipment.
 
 Captain Henry stands silently in the doorway, his eyes
 moodily on his scientific rival. The doctor is
 studying the indicator dials of a complex instrument on
 the table. Bill Stone greets the arrivals.
 
  STONE
 Hello, Nikki. Hello, Captain
 Henry. How was the trip?
 
 HENRY
 (shortly)
 O. K.
 
 He remains staring at the preoccupied
 Carrington who seems aware neither of
 his or Nikki's presence.
 
 NIKKI
 (quietly)
 Captain Henry is here, doctor.
 
  CARRINGTON
 (without looking up,
 his voice amiable)
 Yes, I know.
 (his eyes stay on the indicator
 dials and he continues softly)
 Would you take these notes, please.
 (he dictates to Nikki quietly.
 She writes as he speaks)
 November second, 2 p.m. Deflection
 on screen nineteen continues -
 twelve point three. No lessening
 or wavering of disturbing element.
 (he looks up and smiles
 at Henry and adds softly)
 Can we start now, Captain Henry?
 
  HENRY
 (coolly)
 Mind telling me where we're going?
 
 CARRINGTON
 Forty-eight miles due east.
 
 HENRY
  Your message said an aeroplane
 had crashed. Is that what we're
 looking for?
 
 CARRINGTON
 (smiling)
 I don't know, Captain.
 
  HENRY
 (covering his irritation
 with difficulty)
 I'd like to know what I'm supposed
 to go looking for, Dr. Carrington.
 
 CARRINGTON
  (gently)
 So would I.
 (eagerly)
 I think we should start while
 the light holds.
 
 HENRY
 (without moving)
  We'll start after you've given me
 what information you've got.
 
 CARRINGTON
 (softly)
 Is that necessary, Captain?
 (he sees Henry's scowl
  and is quickly contrite)
 I'm very sorry. I was thinking
 only of the vagueness of my
 information. I dislike being
 vague. Will you please read
 Captain Henry my first notes,
 Nikki?
 
 NIKKI
 (opening the note book in
 her hand and reading from
 it)
 November 1, 11:15 p.m. Sound detectors
 registered explosion due east. 11:18 p.m.
 magnetic dial revealed twelve point three
 deflection. Such deflection possible only
 if a disturbing force equivalent to 20,000
  tons of steel or iron ore had become part
 of the earth within fifty mile radius.
 
 HENRY
 That sounds like a meteor, doesn't it?
 
 CARRINGTON
  (amiably)
 Yes, very much. Except for our photographic
 plates. Our telescopic cameras were working
 last night. Here is the film taken between
 11:12 and 11:15. Let Captain Henry see it,
 Bill.
 
 Stone switches on a light in a moviola
 box and runs a strip of film slowly
 through it. Captain Henry looks into
 the box.
 
  CARRINGTON
 You will note the small dot low on the film.
 It is moving from west to east. At 11:14
 the dot moves upward. At 11:15 it drops to
 the earth and vanishes. A meteor might move
 almost horizontally from west to east, but
 never upward. If the traveling object caused
 the explosion we picked up, it is in the ice
 48 miles from here. The sound reached us
 four minutes after the object's disappearance.
 This gives us the approximate distance from
 here.
 
 HENRY
 (frowning)
 Twenty thousand tons of steel is a lot of
 metal for an aeroplane.
 
 CARRINGTON
 For the sort of aeroplane we know, Captain.
 
 HENRY
 (abruptly)
  Come on, let's get going.
 
 He walks out followed by Carrington,
 Stone and Nikki.
 
 DISSOLVE TO:
 
 
11 INT. C-54 PLANE
 
 Captain Henry and Lieutenat Dykes are at the controls.
 The rest of the crew are in their accustomed places.
 A dog sled and a dog-team occupy the rear of the
 passenger cabin.
 
 Flight Engineer Barnes is scanning the snowscape below.
 So are Photographer Stone and the scientists Olson,
 Chapman, Vorrhees, Laurenz and Redding. Skeely is also
 peering avidly out of the window. There is an air of
 tension to the silence.
 
 Only Dr. Carrington seems relaxed. He shares a seat
 with Nikki.
 
 From time to time Captain Henry turns around to scowl
 at Nikki and Carrington.
 
 NIKKI
 (eagerly to her companion)
 I'm terribly excited, Arthur! I'm
  jumping up and down inside!
 
 CARRINGTON
 (softly)
 So am I.
 
 NIKKI
 (laughing)
 If the world were coming to an end, I
 don't think you'd change your expression,
 Arthur. You'd keep smiling - and dictating
 notes - and expect me to take them down
 accurately.
 
 CARRINGTON
 (nodding)
 And you would.
 
 Captain Henry has risen and left
 Dykes at the controls. He has
 walked back to Carrington and stood
  there waiting grimly for their talk
 to end. He speaks up now with
 irritation.
 
 HENRY
 We're fifty miles out, Doctor, and not a
 sign of anything. Those gadgets of yours
 must be screwy.
 
 CARRINGTON
 (amiably)
 I doubt it, Captain. They've exhibited
 no signs of lunacy in the past.
 
  NIKKI
 (to Henry)
 You must be off your course.
 
 HENRY
 (to Carrington, insistantly,
 ignoring Nikki)
 We haven't seen anything, have we?
 What does that mean?
 
 CARRINGTON
 (amiably)
 It means we haven't seen it. It doesn't
 mean it isn't there.
 
  Henry's response is interrupted
 by a cry from Dykes.
 
 DYKES
 Hey, Pat! Look at this! The compass
 is turning around!
 
 HENRY
  (starting forward)
 What the holy --
 
 CARRINGTON
 (calmly)
 We've passed it.
 (calling to Dykes)
 When did it start turning, Lieutenant?
 
 DYKES
 Just now -- fifteen seconds ago.
 
 CARRINGTON
 (to Nikki)
 Mark the time, please.
 (to Dykes)
 Is it a complete revolution?
 
 DYKES
 Yep. Hundred and eighty degrees.
 
 CARRINGTON
 (to Henry)
 Then we flew right over it about a
 mile and three eighths back.
 
 HENRY
 (curtly)
 Thanks.
 (he calls to the cockpit)
 Spin it around Eddie, and take
  her down low.
 
 Henry returns to the cockpit. Carrington follows him
 and stands gazing out over his shoulder.
 
 
12 LONG SHOT OF ICE FIELD FROM SHIP'S POINT OF VIEW
 
 A dark patch in the ice appears.
 
 
13 INT. COCKPIT
 
 CARRINGTON AND DYKES
 (together)
 There - I see it - over there!
 
 DYKES
 It's buried in the ice.
 
 HENRY
  (peering at the
 ground)
 What do you think, Eddie?
 
 DYKES
 (pointing)
 Looks pretty smooth over
 there -
 
  HENRY
 (nodding)
 Fasten your seat belts,
 folks. We're going to land.
 
 DISSOLVE TO:
 
 
14 THE ICE PLANE
 
 The C-54 lands gracefully on its skis. Its occupants
 disembark. Barnes and Dykes start hitching up the dog
 team.
 
 NIKKI
 (standing on tiptoe)
 I can't see it from here.
 
  HENRY
 It's that way. About a half
 mile.
 
 CARRINGTON
 A little more south, I believe.
 
 NIKKI
 Oh, I hope we don't lose it.
 
 CARRINGTON
 (smiling at her
 eagerness)
 Hardly.
 
 MACAULIFF
 This'll lead us right to it.
 
 He holds up a Geiger counter.
 
 CARRINGTON
 (surprised)
 A Geiger counter. But there's
 no reason to suppose it's
 radioactive.
 
  MACAULIFF
 It is, though. I noticed in
 the plane. See?
 
 He holds up the counter. It clicks steadily.
 
 DYKES
 All set, folks.
 
 HENRY
 (to Nikki)
 You ride on the sled.
 
 Nikki gets on the sled. It starts off, the rest of the
 party trotting along in its tracks.
 
 DISSOLVE TO
 
 
15 THE ICE PLAIN NEAR THE DARK PATCH
 
 The sled stops. Nikki gets off and runs with the others
 to the dark patch. They stand looking down at it fron a
 little hillock of snow and ice.
 
 BARNES
 That's no aeroplane.
 
 OLSON
 It's certainly not a meteor.
 
 MACAULIFF
 Whatever it is, how in the
 holy name of Aberdeen, did it
 get in there? Look, the ice
 is smooth as glass.
 
 There is a little chorus of agreement and wonder.
 
 HENRY
 This is the craziest thing
 I ever saw!
 
  CARRINGTON
 Not really.
 
 HENRY
 (over polite)
 Perhaps you'll be good enough
 to explain the little mystery
 to all us ordinary people.
 
 CARRINGTON
 (staring at the
 dark patch)
 Anything hitting the earth's
 atmosphere at an astronomical
 speed would be white hot in an
 instant. It would melt its
 way into the ice which would
 then freeze over it again.
 
 Skeely and Barnes have moved to another hillock to get a
 better view of the buried object. Suddenly Skeely lets
 out a yell.