Original subtitles

Don't they usually put these inside of mountains, sir? Bunkers, I mean.

Let's hope they think the way you do.

They, sir?

Of course, I keep forgetting your last -minute replacement for Samuelson.

How much did they tell you?

Only that I'd be working in isolation for a maximum of a year, sir.

Well, you'll have plenty of solitude.

Bunkers level.

Let's stop.

The control room.

You'll spend most of your time here, so we tried to make it as comfortable as

possible.

We programmed a pretty tough opponent for Sam Houston. I hope you enjoy chess

much as he does.

These elevator shaft doors will weld shut. You'll be sealed in here. But not

worry. It's completely self -contained.

A small reactor will provide your electrical power. A recycling and

system will take care of your air and your water.

Here.

Open it.

Inside you'll find why we quickly had to pull all this together.

Too quickly for my taste. Like slapping it together with spit and rubber bands.

Those were taken from the Hubble.

We've been monitoring them for almost two years.

We have a few weeks to a number of months before the aliens reach the

So they could be coming in peace.

Maybe. Our job is to be ready if they're not.

This bunker.

Here's a doomsday device, Lieutenant.

Able to annihilate the entire planet.

My God.

And if I press that button, it goes off.

Just the opposite. It prevents it.

It's a dead man's switch.

Trains have them in case the engineer falls asleep.

If he doesn't push a button, when a random alarm goes off, it stops the

So it's like a failsafe.

Right.

If anything happens to you down here, the doomsday device goes off.

And if we don't dig you out in a year, you can assume that mankind has been

defeated by the aliens.

That's when you stop pushing that button.

And the aliens will be wiped from the face of the planet.

I'm behind schedule. I've got to go.

I'll contact you and give you the rest of your instructions.

General, you can't leave. I have so many questions. You have to. The system's

automated. You'll be sealed in here in less than a minute. But what if the

happened? What if they invade?

And not that I would do it, but out of self -preservation, I'd just keep

pressing the button. That'd be hard.

After a year, all the systems will run out of fuel.

No power, no food, no water, and no air. But what if you haven't dug me out by

then?

Why do you think we call it a dead man's switch?

There is nothing wrong with your television.

Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are now controlling the transmission.

We control the horizontal and the vertical. We can delude you with a

channels or expand one single image to crystal clarity and beyond.

We can shape your vision to anything our imagination can conceive.

For the next hour, We will control all that you see and hear.

You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the deepest

inner mind to the outer limits.

Young idealists often dream of having the power to save the world.

But would that dream become a nightmare if saving the world could also mean

destroying it?

Hello, Lieutenant.

You ready to test this baby out?

Yes, sir. Take the position and initiate the retinal scanner and palm print

analyzer to your person.

I assume you've read the procedure.

Yes, sir.

Identified. Conklin, Benjamin P.

Codename, Dead Man 1.

Authenticating.

Dead Man.

Verified.

The system's online now.

You have about 24 hours to become familiar with the layout and equipment

the alarms begin.

He said to push the button before the count runs out.

I was wondering what would happen if it ever reached zero, sir.

This.

A full -capacity detonation.

Every nuclear, chemical, and biological weapon we've got all over the world.

If we don't come out of this alive, no one else will either.

We want our visitors to know about this device and what will happen if we use

it. Can they disarm the system, sir?

Not without triggering the destruct sequence.

They'd have to know every feature, every trap. It's just not possible.

We've thought this through, Lieutenant.

We don't want the aliens intercepting any signals and tracing them back to

bunkers or feeding you false information.

That's why you have no access to radio or TV signals and can't call out.

We control what you receive, and only from this location.

Everything about this operation is on a strict need -to -know basis.

You won't be the only person at the switch.

There'll be four other people on your team, each one stationed at a different

secret location around the globe.

They'll be online within 24 hours.

Any one of you can stop the countdown for built -in redundancy. How often will

you check in, sir? Often. In fact, if you have any other questions, save them

for tomorrow.

Iger out.

Good morning. Good morning.

Hong or Donald? Take a wild guess.

I am Donald.

Good morning.

It is afternoon in South Africa.

I'm Lieutenant Ben Conklin, U .S. Air Force.

Never mind him. All he ever does is play that game.

That's the doc.

She's a clinical psychologist.

Gwen Wellington, good to meet you.

Thanks, likewise.

Yes, hello?

Hello, I'm Lieutenant Ben Conklin, U .S. Air Force.

Katya Rubinov, Russian Republic Army.

Deactivation verified.

Congratulations, everyone, on your first successful alert.

You just saved the world. Wouldn't it be a little more accurate to say we didn't

destroy it?

Oh, looks like it's past my bedtime.

Catches should be done in a minute. Why don't you get some sleep, Holmes?

Ah, once I've finished this level.

I'm going to try and get some news.

Shortwave radio?

Hey, how'd you smuggle that in?

Easy. I stuffed the parts of my underwear in smelly old socks.

Who's going to search that, right?

Then, I borrowed some wires from the panels here, tapped into the conduit

runs the shaft.

I might be able to get a signal.

You tap it with the control panels?

One of my degrees was electrical engineering.

Hey, Gwen, let me ask you a question.

Sure.

That pad that you're always riding on, is that a diary or are you supposed to

watch out?

Psychologically, I mean.

I've been working with the Australian military.

We're studying the effects of long -term isolation.

This was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

We were all chosen because of our self -reliance.

Translation, we're all anti -social loners.

Thanks a lot.

He is right about me.

I am still a little unsure around people.

Still? I was in prison.

Five years ago.

Yeah, what were you in for? I'm a priest.

But I got caught preaching the wrong gospel.

Freedom.

So how'd you get here?

I made a few influential friends doing my stay. Very influential.

And you? Did you volunteer?

No.

I was ordered.

The commander said that I fit the profile.

What was that?

I'm an orphan.

I have no friends or family, really.

A loner, like you said.

After university, I was put in a missile silo back when we were the USSR.

And then when this project came up, they said that I would be perfect.

That's exactly what happened with me. I was on a drilling rig off of New

Orleans. And when I enlisted, I worked a listening post up in Alaska.

How about you, Hong?

Let us hear about you.

There's not much to tell.

I trained in the States for four years.

Then I was a computer programmer for the military.

Worked so many hours, I didn't have a life. Might as well have been down here.

Hey, I got something.

Man, hit with such force, residents fled in panic, spreading pandemonium in the

city streets.

What pandemonium in the streets?

Are we being attacked?

Try to get the signal back.

Tornado winds were clocked at 210 miles per hour.

Tornado.

We got all worked up over nothing.

That's why we're not supposed to get outside news, because we don't need it

do our jobs.

Do you want to stay in, Katya?

You already owe me 5 ,000 rubles.

Yes, but what you don't realize... 5 ,000 rubles is

only one American dollar.

Sorry I've been out of touch, but I've been away at an international summit.

We've finally been able to translate the language of the alien transmissions.

It's rough at best, but we are actually communicating with them. What are the

transmissions saying, sir? As near as we can figure, they're some sort of a

scientific expedition.

So they're coming in peace.

Is this true, General? We also have some other new information.

Our Hubble photo had only shown a V -shaped wedge of vessels.

But computer augmentation had determined that there is a second wave of much

larger vessels coming.

They've already entered our solar system.

From where they were, wouldn't that require light speed?

But where are the second waves? I don't see them.

Oh, God.

They're generating some sort of energy field that displaces light and radio

waves.

Attack vessels?

Not likely.

With the technology they have, their weaponry shouldn't require any heavy

So what are they?

Tankers. At least that's what they've told us. Come on, General.

Level with us.

What do you think they are?

Calling it.

Check.

I didn't expect that.

I'm a lot less predictable than the computer, no? I'll say.

But it's nice.

I spend way too much time with computers.

Check again.

You know, it's strange.

Here we are. We're both in bunkers, halfway around the world from each

playing chess.

Ten years ago, we would have been pointing missiles at each other.

I think I like this better.

You don't need to look away, Ben. I left my privacy setting off on purpose.

What for?

For you.

Oh, I'm sorry. Was I embarrassing you?

No.

I... Alert.

Arming countdown.

30 seconds.

Did something bad happen to you?

No.

Actually, something bad happened to you.

I was fighting to save you.

Such chivalry.

You're a very brave friend.

You know, it was just a dream.

I don't know how brave I'd be in real life.

It's too bad, though.

It's kind of nice before all the bad stuff started happening.

That?

Tell me about it.

Well, it's just you and me.

I see where you're going. You don't need to tell me anymore about it.

No, it wasn't like that. It wasn't like that. I know where I got the idea from.

The night when we were playing chess, I thought, what would it be like to kiss

you?

And then I thought, you know, when we get out of here, maybe we could go on a

date. Take a trip or something?

Ben, we are thousands of miles apart.

And who knows what the future holds.

It would be a cruel joke to make us think such things.

To make us feel too much.

20 seconds.

Come on, you guys. It's your turn.

20 seconds.

Damn it.

Basin verified.

It's okay.

I know you're busy. No big deal.

No, I don't think you understand.

I hit the switch first.

Didn't cut off.

You sure?

I hit buttons all day, I'm sure.

Nothing happened.

It didn't cut off.

Your switch could stop working then. So could the others.

What are we going to do if we have another alarm?

Hey, what are you doing? Fixing it.

I'm an electrical engineer, remember?

Shouldn't we wait?

What? For the repairman? I don't think so.

Who's this going to break next?

I don't know. It just seems like there ought to be some sort of a rule or

procedure for it. Oh, my God.

Look at this.

You said General Iger told you this was put together with spit and rubber band?

He wasn't joking.

You know, General Iger is monitoring us.

He'd tell us if there was something really wrong.

You call him.

Of course, he's a test.

Barney, I'm home.

You're back.

Good death, new?

Well, maybe the console, but not me.

I'm beat.

It looks like it took a lot of work. What happened?

Well... The monitors and the console share the same power feed.

I had to take it offline.

But I think I figured out why the switch stopped working.

I scavenged some parts from the ventilation control system.

A lot of the circuits are redundant, so I just rerouted them.

Should work.

Should work? What if it doesn't?

Well, we better hope the other four keep working, because this is crazy.

Stand by for a voice message from General Iger.

We're repeating the transmission, folks. Thought you might want to look in.

They've reached Mars already.

Hey!

I bet they did a pass by Mars to do a course correction for Earth. Just like

that book, 2010.

They could be using gravity wave generation propulsion.

Pretty cool.

How does that affect the Earth?

Well, major changes in the tide, for one.

And some very rad surf in Malibu. In about 90 days.

Good night.

Are we really ready for this?

So, you ready to play?

Katya, my whole life I've been a loner.

I've never loved anybody, friends, family or girlfriend. I've never had any

them to love.

It's ironic.

What?

Well, I got this job because my life is like that.

But it took this job for me to finally meet someone.

That I can feel something for.

I think about you all the time.

When I wake up.

Before I go to bed.

Most of the time in between. Ben, please don't do this. You said that we

shouldn't make any plans.

We shouldn't get any closer.

If that's how you really feel, then I would like you to stop playing chess

me every day like you do.

It's just too hard on me.

But it's easy for me when you give me ultimatum.

You know how I feel about this, Beth.

No.

Katya!

You win.

I'm meeting you for dinner and a movie.

But no more talking about trips, okay?

Let's see how our date goes.

Okay. The others have agreed to give us some privacy.

I love you, Helen.

Perhaps this is the first day I met you.

Dear, I said it.

You are such a sweet man.

That always makes me cry.

Do you think we'll ever...

We'll find our way home, Ben.

A couple of misfits like that?

You can count on it.

Well, then.

Here's to going home together.

I think I'm getting tipsy.

Is that real wine?

I thought it was grape juice. How'd you get that in?

I smuggled it.

I'm Russian. I know how to get past guards.

I was saving it for when we got out, but what the hell?

We're not supposed to have alcohol. What if an alarm goes off?

You're the designated presser.

Relax. The button is 20 feet away from you and you're a fast runner.

Just don't fall asleep.

Not without kissing goodnight.

I wish I could.

Maybe you can.

I have a very good imagination.

Don't go anywhere.

Pretend to kiss me goodnight.

Describe it to me.

All right.

I'd put my arms around you and...

Then I'd kiss you.

What is this, a handshake?

No, tell me.

Just use your imagination and tell me what you'd like to do to me.

Well, first I'd

pull you close to me.

So I could feel the warmth of your skin pressing against mine.

Go on.

Then I'd hold your face in my hand.

Running my fingers through your hair, I would slowly kiss your neck.

Then I'd place my hands on your shoulders, caressing them, massaging

My hands would move.

Down your dress. That's okay. Yes, that's okay. I want you to.

Down your dress. My hands would brush up across your body.

Caressing its every curve. My fingertips ever so lightly gliding up

and down and up.

Kissing you passionately.

Body.

Making you lose all control, all restraint.

You couldn't hold back.

You'd want to let go. You'd have to let go.

Alert. Arming countdown.

30 seconds.

Deactivation verified.

How much longer, General?

Not much. I think your wait is over.

The aliens have arrived.

When? Last night. A small landing craft left their ships and landed at Edwards.

They've begun sending us their telemetry.

They've already begun to gather data on the Earth.

The last set of graphics had something to do with their orbiting link -up.

Whatever it is, it could go either way as far as their intention.

They've broadcast a message worldwide.

announcing their only landing here to make contact, peaceful contact.

They've asked for a meeting with representatives from every country.

I'll be one of the delegates.

What is the prognosis?

Cautiously optimistic emphasis on the cautiously.

But it looks promising, so keep your fingers crossed.

Anything? No.

It's been a week.

We should have heard something by now.

I keep thinking that... There's a lot of possible explanations.

Oh, yeah, like everyone's dead?

Let's face it. I mean, these bunkers were like coffins from day one.

He knew. He knew damn well we'd never get out of here. We're already buried,

crying out loud. We're just not dead yet. Stop it, Hong.

Getting cabin fever, that's all.

Long -term isolation usually leads to the feelings of stress, fear, even

paranoia. We just need a day of calm.

Help me, though.

Feel two scummers first.

Help!

Somebody do something!

What would you have us do?

I keep waiting for him to say some smart -ass remark.

I can't believe he's not here.

We'll all miss it.

Even remarks.

What if it wasn't an accident?

Wrong system was derivate. Patched together.

He had problems from the start.

Said he stole parts from his air purification system.

Maybe that made it malfunction.

The reality is we don't know what's happening.

Shorewave radio message could mean many things.

It said there was a new development.

Bad or good, we don't know.

We can only deal with what we don't know.

And what we know is our friend is dead.

If we want to hold together, my prescription is rest.

Okay, I'll take the ship.

Gwen, you and Katya, get some sleep.

You go to Ben.

I will take it.

Are you sure you're okay? You're shivering.

Yes. It is awfully cold in here.

Is your place cold?

No. Maybe you ought to run a system check. You could be having a reactor

malfunction.

No.

Other problems would be happening.

I'm sure it's just the climate control.

Nothing a blanket won't fix.

You get some shut -eye, then.

You'll be fine.

My God.

My God.

He's frozen.

How together?

There's only three of us to keep watch over time, Nat. Just the three of us.

You are the religious man.

We argued once about...

100 points for beating Hong's record. I mean now.

Okay.

What is it?

Reactor failure.

Or maybe not ventilation.

Reactors are below us. Listen, see if you can pinpoint it. I think it's coming

from our bedroom.

Sound like hydraulic?

Coming from above.

You're being rescued.

I knew I should have brought champagne.

Careful.

Once the perimeter is breached, they'd have to use both the retina and palm

scanner to deactivate the button.

They respond only to living tissue.

So you think Gwen is dead?

I don't know.

I do know that she hasn't been pressing her switch.

And since she disappeared, the alarm has been going off as usual. It's only been

you and I stopping it.

Face it, Ben, we've lost.

Katya. Don't give me false hope, Ben. I know what they did to Gwen. I know what

I saw.

All we can do now is wait to see which one of us is next.

It's not going to happen to you.

I wouldn't let it. Oh, and how would you stop it?

Alert. Army encounter.

30 seconds. There is only one way, Ben.

Let it go.

Ben. The aliens killed the only real friend that you and I ever had.

20 seconds.

Let it go.

What if the aliens haven't won? What if there's a resistance? What if there's

people still out there trying to fight them?

15 seconds.

There still may be a chance.

The activation is verified.

Sorry.

No.

You are right.

If there is just one person hiding out there, they deserve a chance.

I was being selfish.

That's why we have our orders.

When? Our time is up. It's been a year.

Shouldn't all this have shut down then?

Yeah, my power cut out last night.

I've been running on a backup generator.

How long will it last?

I don't know.

You sure you want to wait it out?

There might not be much left.

have each other.

Ben, whatever time I have left, days or hours,

minutes, it's very precious to me if I can spend it with you.

Don't worry.

Your pal will come back.

Stick with her!

No, the panel! The panel!

Katya, you've got to get out of there!

I can't get... Run!

Run!

Oh, my God!

Katya, are you all right?

Speak to me!

Katya, can you hear me?

30 seconds

20

seconds

Two. One.

Initiating final stage of drop sequence.

I knew it wasn't really thirty -seven.

Thirty -second meaning.

Chemical warheads armed.

Biological weaponry armed.

Thirty -seven.

Give the warheads fire.

Countdown aborted.

Thank God you're alive.

We made it.

We stopped them?

We took staggering losses.

Most of our leadership was in hiding, but we used a new weapon and it drove

back. So what's our plan now? We get you out, but it may take some time to

unseal the doors and figure out a way to disarm the system.

Disarm. Disarm system.

Until we do, no matter how much exhaustion sets in, stay near the switch

keep pushing that button.

You have to give us time to reach you.

It's your duty.

Clear, soldier?

Yes, sir. Keep pushing the button.

by the choices we make those choices can turn an ordinary man into a king or

reduce him to little more than a pawn with the fate of the world in your hands

what would you choose

You can impregnate your imagination with another abstract from Beyond the Outer

Limits tomorrow at 8.

Matthew Broderick's finding out that three in a bed can be a real headache

on the studio in a few minutes in the movie at 9 o 'clock, The Night We Never

Met. Log on to thestudio .com.

Time to settle down. A bit sci -fi for Lex next.